The European Union Extends Its Sanctions Against Syria for Another Year

On Monday, the European Union extended its sanctions against Syria for another year, until June 1, 2018, by adding the names of three ministers from Bashar al-Assad's cabinet to its sanctions list. According to a press release from the Council of the European Union, with the new restrictions imposed on these three Syrian ministers, who were not previously on the EU sanctions list, a total of 240 individuals and 67 entities are now subject to sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, due to the violent repression of Syrian civilians. Although, in accordance with EU tradition, the sanctions against Syria have been extended for a one-year period, the EU statement emphasizes that as long as the repression of civilians in Syria continues, restrictive measures against Assad's government and its supporters will persist. The statement does not mention the names of the newly sanctioned ministers, but German news agency reports, citing informed sources, identified them as Hisham al-Shaar, Minister of Justice; Samer al-Khalil, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade; and Salam al-Safaf, Minister of Administrative Development. As previously reported by the Syrian state news agency, all three were appointed by Bashar al-Assad two months ago during the latest cabinet reshuffle at the end of March. The German news agency noted that the sanctions the EU has imposed on Assad's government include a ban on oil exports, restrictions on specific investments, freezing the assets of the Syrian central bank in Europe, and prohibiting the export of equipment and technologies used for monitoring and intercepting internet and telephone communications. In its statement announcing the extension of these sanctions, the EU reiterated its commitment to finding a political solution to the Syrian conflict within the framework agreed upon by the United Nations. The EU also emphasized that as a leading international supporter in addressing the Syrian crisis, nearly 10 billion euros have been spent by EU member states on humanitarian aid for Syrian citizens, especially those in besieged areas. The EU also stated that it is ready to participate in the reconstruction of Syria once a 'comprehensive, inclusive, and genuine political transition' is achieved.