As part of the UK government’s planning for a No Deal Brexit, the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) has published an open general export licence (“OGEL”), allowing the export of dual-use items (with both a civilian and military application) from the UK to EU Member States and the Channel Islands (full licence here). The OGEL will come into force at 11pm on 29 March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU on that date…
The UK Foreign Affairs Committee has launched the “Global Britain: the future of UK sanctions policy inquiry” and is accepting written submissions up to the deadline of 14 December 2018. The inquiry is intended to explore and evaluate different options for the UK’s approach to sanctions policy after Brexit. The inquiry therefore invites submissions on: The effectiveness of sanctions as an instrument of foreign policy, including examples of both successful and unsuccessful use of sanctions to…
On 25 October 2018, the European parliament passed a non-binding resolution expressing its concerns over Russia’s actions in the Sea of Azov, in particular the construction of the Kerch Bridge and inspections of ships going through the Kerch Straight (actions that the Parliament suggests are in breach of international maritime law and Russia’s international commitments). The Resolution welcomes the Council’s decision to impose sanctions on six companies involved in the construction of the bridge, and…
The European Commission has started the process by which it would add US sanctions measures on Iran to the so-called Blocking Regulation (formerly Regulation 2271/96). This is in direct response to the US President’s withdrawal of his waiver relating to the JCPOA. The effect of the withdrawal was to reintroduce US sanctions that were in force prior to the JCPOA. US sanctions on Iran not only impact US companies and persons, but can, in certain…