Norway aligns itself with Council decision to reinforce EU sanctions against Syria

“The Syrian authorities are continuing their brutal treatment of the people of the country and disregarding the appeals from the international community to refrain from using violence. The EU therefore decided today to reinforce its sanctions against Syria, and Norway aligns itself with this decision,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

On 23 September the Council of the European Union decided to ban investment in key sectors of the Syrian oil industry and the delivery of Syrian-denominated bank notes and coinage produced in the EU to the Syrian Central Bank. It also added two more persons and six entities to the list of those targeted by the current asset freeze and travel ban.

“The situation in Syrian continues to give cause for deep concern. According to the UN, more than 2 700 people have been killed since the protests began in March. Norway will continue to put pressure on the Syrian authorities to meet the Syrian people’s legitimate demands for democracy, freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights,” said Mr Støre.