Syria: the EU extended its economic sanctions for one more year

Economic sanctions will not expire on 31 May 2014, as previously expected, but will apply until 1 June 2015. The European Union has decided to extend its economic sanctions against Syria. These measures include restrictions on investments as well as a number of export and import bans (for instance an oil embargo), and were supposed to end one year after the original decision, taken on 31 May 2013. Yet the Member States decided to extend the sanctions for an additional year.

Only two persons and one entity were removed from the original list of those subject to asset freeze and travel ban in Europe; the list now includes 179 persons who are associated with the violent repression in Syria. In addition, 53 entities will continue to have their assets frozen within the European Union, including the Central Bank of Syria.