Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the imposition of additional sanctions against the Syrian regime

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 23 September 2011

A 373/11

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton

on the imposition of additional sanctions

against the Syrian regime

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"In view of the continuing brutal campaign by the Syrian regime against its own population, the

European Union today decided to adopt additional sanctions against the Syrian regime.

I have said repeatedly that the regime's repression against the Syrian people must stop completely,

that detained protestors must be released immediately and that a genuine and inclusive national

dialogue must be launched in Syria without delay. So far, the Syrian regime has resisted urgent

calls from the European Union as well as the international community to take such steps. Therefore

additional measures are necessary.

The additional sanctions that the EU has adopted against the Syrian regime today include an

investment ban in the Syrian oil sector. This adds to the earlier decision taken on 2 September to

impose an EU ban on the import of crude oil from Syria. Today's decision also foresees a

prohibition on the delivery of banknotes to the Syrian Central Bank and the inclusion of additional

persons and entities responsible for or supporting the repression in Syria to the list of those subject

to a travel ban and asset freeze.

The EU continues to aim at putting an end to the repression and assisting the Syrian people to

achieve their legitimate aspirations. The EU restrictive measures are designed to have maximum

impact on the Syrian regime, while minimizing any potential negative impacts on the Syrian

population. This is done by carefully targeting those individuals and entities which benefit from or

support the regime. The EU will consider further measures in the light of developments."

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P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - [email protected]

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected]

[email protected]

www.eeas.europa.eu

EN

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون حول فرض عقوبات أوروبية إضافية على النظام السوري بسبب حملته الوحشية المستمرة ضد شعبه.