Web Alert: EU extends existing sanctions against Syria for further year

On 28 May 2018, the European Council extended existing sanctions against Syria (under EU Reg. 2018/774) until 1 June 2019, in light of the "ongoing repression of the civilian population''.

The EU initially imposed sanctions on Syria on May 2011, and has since remained committed to finding a "lasting and credible political solution to the conflict in Syria" while maintaining its stance that there can be no military resolution to the current issues.

Notable sanctions currently in place include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, and restrictions on the export of certain equipment and technologies which may be used for internal repression. There are also 259 persons and 67 Syrian related entities named on the sanctions list which are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. ​

The official press release from the EU may be found here.