EU extends sanctions against Assad regime in Syria

BRUSSELS, May 27 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) extended Friday sanctions against Bashar Al Assad's Syrian regime until 1 June 2017 and underlined that the 28-member bloc would continue imposing and enforcing sanctions targeting the regime and its supporters as long as repression continues.
An EU statement noted that the sanctions currently in place against the Syrian regime include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank within the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.
In addition, over 200 persons and 70 entities are targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria.
The statement said that the EU will further support the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) efforts to strengthen the implementation of the cessation of hostilities in Syria.
The EU will step up its political role in support for a credible resumption of the intra-Syrian talks coordinated by UN Special Envoy de Mistura aiming at reaching an agreement on a genuine political transition in Syria in accordance, it added. (end) nk.mt