EU economic sanctions on Syria extended until 1 June 2014

The EU Council of Ministers Friday adopted sanctions against the Syrian regime, in accordance with the political agreement reached at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on 27 May. "The measures will apply until 1 June 2014 and include a number of export and import bans, e.g. an oil embargo, as well as restrictions on investments, financial activity and the transport sector," said the Council in a statement. In addition, 179 people associated with the violent repression in Syria are targeted with an asset freeze and a travel ban. Up to 54 entities linked to the repressive policies including the Central Bank of Syria, have their assets frozen within the EU. Exports of arms and equipment that may be used for internal repression are not included in today's decision, it noted. The legal act will be published in the EU Official Journal tomorrow.