EU extends sanctions on Syrian government

In a statement, the council affirmed that the decision to keep restrictive measures against "the Syrian regime and its supporters" came in line with the Union's strategy towards Syria against the background of "the continuation of repressive operations against civilians."

Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy stressed that these sanctions are directed against those responsible for the suffering of the Syrian people during the years of the conflict, including individuals and supporters of the Syrian government and businessmen who provide support to the government and benefit from the "war economy."

Borrell expressed the European Union's determination to "continue to support the Syrian people" and "its firm commitment to using every available means in order to move towards a political settlement of the conflict that will benefit all Syrians and put an end to the ongoing repression."

The Union decided to remove the names of two people and a company from its blacklist because they ceased "the behavior required for punishment", in addition to two others because of their deaths.

The European sanctions list currently includes 272 individuals whose assets have been frozen and travel banned, in addition to freezing the assets of 70 entities.