The EU has extended its sanctions against the Syrian regime by one year, until 1 June 2018. Decision (CFSP) 2017/917, taken by the European Council on 29 May 2017, is in line with the EU approach of maintaining sanctions against the Syrian regime and its supporters as long as the repression of civilians continues.
The EU currently imposes a broad range of sanctions against Syria, which includes, amongst others:
- an arms embargo;
- an oil embargo;
- restrictions on certain investments;
- a freeze on the assets of certain individuals and entities; and
- export restrictions on certain equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression, or for monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.
The European Council also imposed sanctions against three ministers of the Syrian government and updated certain existing entries.
The Decision and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/907 were published in the Official Journal on 30 May 2017.
