EU intends to extend sanctions against Syrian government

European Union officials have confirmed their intention to extend its sanctions against the Syrian government soon despite the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

27 May, 2020 13:35

NEWS DESK

A high-ranking European official told reporters in Brussels today, Wednesday, that extending the sanctions against the Syrian government "will send a strong message that the current approach, which includes violence, the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the use of chemical weapons, is totally unacceptable."

The official, whose identity has not been released, again called for a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

Another official from the European Union's Foreign Affairs Authority said, "The sanctions will be extended in not-too-distant future."

European sanctions imposed on the government of Damascus since 2011 include a ban on exporting oil from Syria and the export of energy and oil products to it, in addition to restrictions imposed on investments, a freeze on the assets of the Syrian Central Bank, a ban on trade with the Syrian authorities with dual-use technologies and means for monitoring and preventing telephone and Internet connections.

The European Union also included 255 individuals and 67 Syrian entities on its blacklist.

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ANHA