BRUSSELS
The European Union has agreed to impose further sanctions against the Assad regime in Syria, the European Council of Ministers said on Monday.
The sanctions include restrictive measures on individuals and entities linked to the Syrian government. The EU also agreed to impose a ban on jet fuel and fuel additives exported to the country, because they are being used by the regime’s air force, which is accursed of indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
‘’The EU will continue its policy of imposing additional measures targeting the regime, as long as repression continues,’’ the statement said.
The EU says it is also "determined to take immediate and long-term action" to restrict the sources of funding of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant." The EU also plans to enhance its counter-terrorism and security cooperation with countries on Syria's and Iraq's borders as determined by the Union's counter-terrorism strategy.
What the EU called the ‘moderate opposition’ fighting against ISIL will continue to receive political and practical support, according to the statement.
''International efforts to achieve a Syrian-led transition remain a priority in order to maintain the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity while preserving its multi-ethnic and multi-religious character,'' the statement said.
ISIL has captured large swathes of land in Iraq and Syria, declaring what it calls a cross-border Islamic ‘caliphate,’ killing thousands and displacing millions in the two countries.
www.aa.com.tr/en
