Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/406 of 24 February 2025 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Date: 2025-02-24
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Syria, economic reconstruction, economic recovery, economic sanctions, economic stabilisation, freezing of assets, humanitarian aid, international sanctions, legal person




L_202500406EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/406


25.2.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/406
         
of 24 February 2025
         
amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,


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

Whereas:







(1)


On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).












(2)


Following the fall of al-Assad’s regime in Syria, in its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council stressed the historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country and underlined the importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).












(3)


In light of the fall of al-Assad’s regime, which was responsible for the violent repression of the Syrian civil population, and following the invitation by the European Council to the Commission and the High Representative to submit options for measures to support Syria, the Council has reviewed the restrictive measures set out in Decision 2013/255/CFSP.












(4)


On the basis of this review, and with a view to encouraging an inclusive transition in Syria and to support humanitarian aid delivery, economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilisation, as well as facilitating the return of Syrian nationals to Syria along with their belongings, the Council considers that a number of restrictive measures should be suspended.












(5)


To ensure the effectiveness of the suspensions of the restrictive measures, the Council considers that six entities should be removed from the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources. The assets of one of those entities should remain frozen.












(6)


In this regard, the Council also considers it appropriate to introduce certain exemptions to the prohibition of establishing banking relations between Syrian banks and financial institutions within the territories of the Member States.












(7)


Moreover, the Council should introduce an exemption to the prohibition on the sale, supply, transfer or export of luxury goods to Syria.












(8)


In order to strengthen efforts aimed at humanitarian aid delivery, economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilisation, the Council should remove the reference to an expiration date for the humanitarian exemption, as outlined in Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1496 (2), which concerns an exemption from asset freeze measures applicable to, and from the restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to, natural or legal persons, entities or bodies designated under Decision 2013/255/CFSP, for the benefit of certain categories of actors.












(9)


The Council will closely follow the developments in Syria, particularly as regards the concerns expressed in the European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024, to examine the appropriateness of the continued suspension of and exemptions to the restrictive measures concerned.












(10)


In this context, the Council notes that the delimitation of maritime zones should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations. Any violation of neighbouring States’ sovereign rights within their maritime zones in accordance with law of the sea, will be duly considered in the context of the constant review of the restrictive measures.












(11)


Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures in this Decision.












(12)


Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:






(1)


Article 13 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 13

1.   The sale, supply, transfer or export of luxury goods to Syria by nationals of Member States or from the territories of Member States or using their flag vessels or aircraft, shall be prohibited, whether originating or not in their territories.
The Union shall take the necessary measures in order to determine the relevant items to be covered by this Article.


2.   The prohibition set out in paragraph 1 shall not apply to the activities mentioned therein provided that such sale, supply, transfer or export of luxury goods is for personal use of natural persons travelling from the European Union or members of their immediate families travelling with them, and limited to personal effects, household effects or vehicles owned by those individuals and not intended for sale in Syria.’

;









(2)


in Article 22, the following paragraphs are added:

‘3.   The prohibitions set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the activities therein provided that such activities, including ancillary activities, are performed for the purpose of providing assistance to the Syrian population, as regards the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs, the provision of basic services, or other civilian purposes.


4.   The prohibitions set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the activities therein provided that such activities, including ancillary activities, are performed for the purpose of providing assistance to the Syrian population, as regards reconstruction, stabilisation, restoring economic activity, institution-building, the provision of basic services, or other civilian purposes.


5.   The prohibitions set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the activities mentioned therein provided that they are performed in relation to activities referred to in Articles 5, 7a, 8, 11, 14, 17, or 25.’
;









(3)


in Article 28, the following paragraph is added:

‘16.   All funds, other financial assets and economic resources, belonging to, or owned, held or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the entities listed in Annex III that are frozen as of 27 February 2012 shall remain frozen.’
;









(4)


in Article 28a(1), the words ‘until 1 June 2025’ are deleted;










(5)


the following Article is inserted:

‘Article 28b
The measures set out in the following Articles shall be suspended: Article 5, 6, 7a, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 25.’











(6)


Article 29 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 29
No claims, including for compensation or indemnification or any other such claim, such as a claim of set-off, fines or a claim under a guarantee, claims for extension or payment of a bond, financial guarantee, including claims arising from letters of credit and similar instruments in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which was affected, directly or indirectly, wholly or in part, by reason of measures covered by this Decision, shall be granted to the designated persons or entities listed in Annexes I, II and III, or any other person or entity in Syria, including the Government of Syria, its public bodies, corporations and agencies, or any person or entity claiming through or for the benefit of any such person or entity.’
;









(7)


in Article 30, paragraph 1, is replaced by the following:

‘1.   The Council, acting upon a proposal by a Member State or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall establish and amend the lists in Annexes I, II and III.’
;









(8)


Article 31 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 31

1.   Annexes I, II and III shall include the grounds for listing the persons and entities concerned.


2.   Annexes I, II and III shall also contain, where available, the information necessary to identify the persons or entities concerned. With regard to persons, such information may include names, including aliases, date and place of birth, nationality, passport and identity card numbers, gender, address if known, and function or profession. With regard to entities, such information may include names, place and date of registration, registration number and place of business.’

;









(9)


Article 34 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 34

1.   This Decision shall apply until 1 June 2025. It shall be kept under constant review. It may be renewed, or amended as appropriate, if the Council deems that its objectives have not been met.


2.   Without prejudice to the outcome of the review referred to in paragraph 1, the prolongation of suspensions referred to in Article 28b, as regards Article 5, 6, 7a, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 25 shall be reviewed at regular intervals, and at least every 12 months, or at the urgent request of any Member State, the High Representative or the High Representative with the Commission’s support.


3.   The Council underlines the importance of preventing the violation of the sovereign rights of Member States within their maritime zones in accordance with the law of the sea. At the request of a Member State, any such violation shall immediately trigger a discussion for the reversal of the easing of restrictive measures, in the context of the constant review of the restrictive measures.’

;









(10)


the Annexes are amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.






Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 24 February 2025.


For the Council


The President

K. KALLAS
            





(1)  Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (OJ L 147, 1.6.2013, p. 14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/255/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1496 of 27 May 2024 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (OJ L, 2024/1496, 28.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1496/oj).




ANNEX

(1)   
In Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP, in Section ‘B. (Entities)’ the following six entries are deleted:






30.


Industrial Bank;










31.


Popular Credit Bank;










32.


Saving Bank;










33.


Agricultural Cooperative Bank;










38.


Central Bank of Syria;










50.


Syrian Arab Airlines.






(2)   
The following Annex is added as Annex III to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:



                           ‘ANNEX III
List of entities referred to in Article 28(16)









 


Name


Identifying Information


Reasons


Date of listing




1.


Central Bank of Syria


Sabah Bahrat Square, Damascus, Syria
Postal address: Altjreda al Maghrebeh Square, Damascus, Syria, P.O. Box: 2254
Tel: + 961011 - 9985
Email: info@cb.gov.sy
Website: https://www.cb.gov.sy/



Provides financial support to the Syrian regime.


27.2.2012’










ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/406/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)