Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures against Syria^f1,

Having regard to the joint proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission,

Whereas:

Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012^f2 gives effect to most of the measures provided for in Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

On 12 October 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/1836^f3 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP. Decision (CFSP) 2015/1836 sets out the criteria for listing persons, entities and bodies in Annexes I and II of that Decision. The reasons for those listings are provided in the recitals of Decision (CFSP) 2015/1836 and Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

The asset freeze measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application by economic operators in all Member States, action at the level of the Union is necessary in order to implement them.

Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: