On Feb. 23, EU CNCL decided to waive humanitarian aid restriction.
EU CNCL amended restrictive measures in place regarding Syria in order to facilitate the speedy delivery of humanitarian aid following earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
Syria Sanctions
EU sanctions are in place regarding Syria target the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime was making profit.
The sanctions regime does not prohibit the export of food, medicines or medical equipment by the EU to Syria, and does not target Syria’s healthcare system.
The sanctions regime includes a wide-ranging humanitarian exception to ensure the continued provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country.
Humanitarian Assistance
Since 2011, the total amount of humanitarian funding from the European Union and its member states for the Syria crisis (Syria plus neighbouring countries) is €27.4 billion.
Since the earthquakes, the EU and member states have already provided €5.5mn to address most urgent needs, in additional humanitarian aid to all affected areas.
In view of the humanitarian crisis in Syria exacerbated by the earthquake, EU CNCL decided to adopt additional humanitarian amendment to further facilitate assistance.
Amendment applies for 6 months, waives need for humanitarian organizations to seek permission from member states national competent authorities to make transfers or provide goods/services intended for humanitarian purposes to listed persons/entities.
Official Journal
Council Dec (CFSP) 2023/408 of Feb 23, 2023 amends Dec 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria; Council Reg 2023/407 of Feb. 23, 2023 amends Reg 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures due to situation in Syria.
Effectiveness
Decision in force upon publication in the official journal, Feb. 23, until Aug. 24, 2023.
Mar. 17, 2023 Third Countries' Alignment
On Mar. 17, 2023, EU CNCL issued a statement on the alignment of certain countries.
Candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, potential candidate Georgia, EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, EEA members, Armenia align with Dec 2023/408.
They will ensure national policies conform to the decision; EC welcomes commitment.
(Please note this content is now deemed out of scope and will not be further updated unless there is a change in process or other noteworthy event in relation to the topic).
Jul. 17, 2023 Extended Exemption
On Jul. 17, 2023, EU CNCL issued Dec (CFSP) 2023/1467 of Jul. 14, 2023 amending Dec 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
As well as Council Reg 2023/1462 of Jul. 17, 2023 amending Reg 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria; both in force on Jul. 18, 2023.
EU CNCL decided to extend the duration of the humanitarian exemption for a further 6 months until Feb. 24, 2024 to continue responding in a timely manner to the urgency of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and to keep facilitating the rapid delivery of aid.
Jul. 20, 2023 Corrigendum
On Jul. 20, 2023, EU CNCL issued corrigendum to Reg 2023/1462 of Jul. 14, 2023 amending Reg 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of situation in Syria.
Corrects date to Jul. 14, 2023 on the cover page, on page 8 in the title and on page 9.
Jul. 27, 2023, Countries' Alignment
On Jul. 27, 2023, EU CNCL published statement on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
Candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina align themselves with Dec (CFSP) 2023/1467.
Potential candidate country Georgia, EFTA countries Liechtenstein, Norway, members of EEA also align themselves with Decision, ensuring their national policies conform.
The European Union took note of this commitment and welcomed it.
Dec. 2023 Exemption Extended
On Dec. 19, 2023, EU CNCL issued Council Reg 2023/2877 of Dec. 18, 2023 amending Reg 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
As well as Council Dec (CFSP) 2023/2876 of Dec. 18, 2023 amending Dec 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
To prolong humanitarian exemption re Syria restrictive measures until Jun. 1, 2024.
Decision and regulation in force day after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Jan. 2024 Countries Aligned
On Jan. 9, 2024, EU CNCL followed up on Dec (CFSP) 2023/408 re exemption until Jun. 1, 2024 on freezing of assets, restrictions on available funds/economic resources.
Candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the EEA, align themselves with EU CNCL dec (CFSP) 2023/2876.
Countries will ensure national policies conform to this decision; the EU welcomes it.
(Note third country alignment now deemed out of scope, will not be further updated unless there is a change in process or other noteworthy event in relation to the topic).
Regulators
EU CNCL
Entity Types
B/D; Bank; BS; Corp; IA; Ins; Inv Co; MSB
Reference
PR, 1/9/2024; OJ L, 12/19/2023; Dec (CFSP) 2023/2876, Reg 2023/2877, 12/18/2023; PR 7/27/2023; OJ L 183/57, Corr, 7/20/2023; OJ L 180/8, OJ L 180/41, Reg 2023/1462, 7/17/2023; PR, Dec (CFSP) 2023/1467, 7/14/2023; PR 3/17/2023; PR, OJ LI 56/1, OJ LI 56/4, Reg 2023/407, Dec (CFSP) 2023/408, 2/23/2023; Citation: Reg 2023/407; Dec (CFSP) 2023/408; Dec 2013/255/CFSP; Reg 36/2012; Dec (CFSP) 2023/1467; Reg 2023/1462; Reg 2023/2877; Dec (CFSP) 2023/2876; Dec (CFSP) 2023/408;
Functions
AML; Anti-Bribery; Compliance; Financial; Human Rights; Legal; Operations; Reporting; Sanctions
Countries
European Union; Syria
Category
State
Products
Banking; Deposits; Fund Mgt; Insurance; Loan; Securities
