Introductory text
United Kingdom
Council Decision 2013/186/CFSP
of 22 April 2013
amending Decision 2012/739/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
On 29 November 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/739/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syriaf1.
(2)
On 18 February 2013, the Council stated that the sanctions regime against Syria should be assessed and reviewed in order to support and help the opposition.
(3)
The Council considers it necessary to introduce derogations under certain restrictive measures with a view to helping the Syrian civilian population, in particular to meeting humanitarian concerns, restoring normal life, upholding basic services, reconstruction, and restoring normal economic activity or other civilian purposes. The Council considers that the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces which the EU accepts as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people should be consulted in the derogation process.
(4)
In this context, the Council has decided to amend the measures concerning the oil import ban, the export ban on key equipment and technology for key sectors of the oil and natural gas industry in Syria and the investment ban on the Syrian oil industry.
(5)
Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.
(6)
Decision 2012/739/CFSP should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: