Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and Libya
Syria
On 14 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1467, amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
The decision extends until 24 February 2024 the humanitarian exemption, which was introduced on 23 February 2023 to the freezing of the assets of, and to the restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to, natural or legal persons and entities designated under Decision 2013/255/CFSP, to the benefit of international organisations and certain defined categories of actors involved in humanitarian activities.
The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the potential candidate country Georgia, the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this Council Decision.
They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.
The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.
Libya
On 10 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1439.
The Decision introduces a provision to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 requiring member states to take the necessary measures to facilitate the disposal, on behalf of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, of arms and related material seized by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI on the high seas in accordance with its mandate.
Furthermore, the Decision introduces a provision to Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions concerning Libya, notably UNSCR 1970(2011) and UNSCR 2292(2016), according to which it shall be prohibited for vessels flying the flag of a third country, bound to or from Libya, to carry arms and related materiel, including goods and technology which are covered by the Union’s Common Military List, to or from Libya, directly or indirectly, on the high seas off the coast of Libya, in violation of the arms embargo established by UNSCR 1970 (2011).
The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the potential candidate country Georgia, the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this Council Decision.
They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.
The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.
