Shell oil export to Syria not in violation of EU sanctions -- Dutch FM

BRUSSELS, June 29 (KUNA) -- Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal has said that oil shipments by Anglo-Dutch company Shell to Syria do not violate European Union sanctions against the country. Radio Netherlands International reported Wednesday that he made these comments in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Tuesday. The Green Left party and the Socialist Party had asked the minister for clarification about Shell's investments in Syria. The two Dutch parties pointed out that the Syrian army, police and other security forces probably use oil products to cut off cities and attack their citizens.
Through its subsidiary SSPD, Shell is the second-largest European oil company in the Syrian oil and gas market. Shell Nederland CEO, Dick Benschop, said earlier that Shell as a commercial company and cannot get involved in the local politics of the countries it is active in. In a reaction, the head of the NGO Pax Christi, Jan Gruiters, said no company could stay neutral "when human rights are systematically being trampled on." Rosenthal said there is regular contact between Shell and the foreign ministry on how to adhere to international rules for sociably responsible business practices. The Dutch foreign ministry would ask Shell about its conduct in the current Syrian context. He also pointed out that fuels and oil derivatives do not fall under the EU sanctions, according to the radio. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 291525 Jun 11NNNN