More amendments to the EU's Syrian sanctions measures

1. Introduction

On 15 November 2011, two Regulations (1150/2011 and 1151/2011)1 adopted by the Council of the European Union (EU) entered into effect, resulting in more amendments to the EU’s original Syria Sanctions Regulation (i.e. Regulation 442/2011).2 These amendments further expand the EU’s Syria sanctions regime by restricting the Syrian government’s access to European Investment Bank (EIB) funds and adding 18 persons considered responsible for recent human rights violations to the EU’s asset freeze list. The new Regulations implement two Council Decisions3 which were adopted on 14 November 2011.

2. New features in the EU’s Syria sanctions measures

The new features added to the EU’s Syria sanctions measures framework as of 15 November 2011 are as follows:

• Regulation 1150/2011 prohibits EIB disbursements or payments connected to existing loan agreements with the Syrian government and suspends related sovereign technical assistance service contracts performed in Syria. It also updates the information on one natural person on the EU’s assets freeze list.
• Implementing Regulation 1151/2011 adds 18 Syrian government officials and associated persons to the EU’s asset freeze list. Accordingly, parties subject to EU jurisdiction must not make funds or economic resources directly or indirectly available to these persons or for their benefit.