Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1467 of 14 July 2023 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

EN

17.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

L 180/41

DECISIONS

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1467

of 14 July 2023

amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

The Council of the European Union,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).

(2)

The Council remains deeply concerned about the situation in Syria. After more than a decade, the conflict in Syria is

far from over and remains a source of suffering and instability. The tragic earthquake of 6 February 2023 further

increases the suffering of the Syrian population.

(3)

In its conclusions of 9 February 2023, the European Council extended its deepest condolences to the victims of the

tragic earthquake of 6 February 2023 and expressed its solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria. The

European Council reaffirmed the Union’s readiness to provide further assistance to alleviate the suffering in all

affected regions. It called on all to ensure humanitarian access to the victims of the earthquake in Syria irrespective

of where they are and called the humanitarian community, under the auspices of the United Nations, to ensure the

speedy delivery of aid.

(4)

In its conclusions of 20 May 2021 on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and

the Council on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles’, the Council reaffirmed its

commitment to avoid and where unavoidable, mitigate to the maximum extent any potential unintended negative

impacts of Union restrictive measures on principled humanitarian action. The Council reiterated that the Union

restrictive measures comply with all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights

law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. It underlined the importance of fully adhering to

humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law in the Union sanctions policy, including through the

consistent inclusion of humanitarian exceptions in restrictive measures regimes where relevant, and by ensuring

that an effective framework is in place for the use of such exceptions by humanitarian organisations.

(5)

The Council recalls that the Union restrictive measures, including those adopted in view of the situation in Syria, are

not meant to stand in the way nor impede the supply of humanitarian aid, including medical assistance. The majority

of sectors – including food, medicines, and medical equipment – are not targeted by the restrictive measures adopted

in view of the situation in Syria. Moreover, as regards individual measures, exceptions are already in place that allow

for funds and economic resources to be made available to designated persons and entities, where such funds or

economic resources are necessary solely for the purpose of providing humanitarian relief in Syria or assistance to

the civilian population in Syria. In certain cases, prior authorisation from the relevant national competent authority

is necessary.

(1) Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (OJ L 147,

1.6.2013, p. 14).

L 180/42

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Official Journal of the European Union

17.7.2023

(6)

On 23 February 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/408 (2), which introduced an exemption to the

freezing of the assets of, and to the restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to, designated

natural or legal persons and entities, to the benefit of international organisations and certain defined categories of

actors involved in humanitarian activities. The Council decided that this exemption, which does not require prior

authorisation from the relevant national competent authority, should have applied for an initial period of six

months, i.e. until 24 August 2023.

(7)

In view of the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and with a view to facilitating the speedy delivery of aid, it is

appropriate to prolong this exemption until 24 February 2024.

(8)

Further action by the Union is necessary to implement certain measures in this Decision.

(9)

Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 28a(1) of Decision 2013/255/CFSP,the date ‘24 August 2023’ is replaced by ‘24 February 2024’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 14 July 2023.

For the Council

The President

N. CALVIÑO SANTAMARÍA

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/408 of 23 February 2023 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view

of the situation in Syria (OJ L 56 I, 23.2.2023, p. 4).

قرار من مجلس الاتحاد الأوروبي بتعديل قرار عقوبات سورية بتمديد الاستثناء الإنساني الخاص بالاستجابة للزلزال.