EU adds two Syrian ministers to sanctions list

Further information:

The Syrian Minister of Industry and the Minister of Information were added in view of the situation in the country. These additions were made to take into account ministerial changes, as both ministers were appointed in January 2018.

Background information:

The decision brought to 257 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons. In addition, 67 entities were also targeted by an assets freeze.

More broadly, sanctions currently in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.

The Council of the European Union decided on 26 February 2018 to add two ministers of the government of Syria to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime.