Article 1
Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows: in Article 5, the...
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following...
Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2144
of 6 December 2016
amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures against Syria ,
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.
(2)
In view of the continuing humanitarian crisis in Syria and the critical role of Union actors in addressing the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, it is important that humanitarian and civilian assistance activities continue inside Syria. The purchase of fuel is an operational requirement for the provision of humanitarian relief or assistance to the civilian population in Syria. Developments in the operational situation in Syria have shown that the current system for the licencing of the purchase of fuel in Syria is not sufficiently practical.
(3)
It is therefore necessary to amend the humanitarian and civilian assistance derogations to the restrictions on the purchase or transport of petroleum products in Syria so as to provide for an authorisation scheme that better reflects operational conditions.
(4)
In addition, and for the same purpose, it is also necessary to amend the humanitarian derogation to the restrictions on the freezing of funds and economic resources.
(5)
Those amendments in no way affect compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 , Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 and Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 .
(6)
Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.
(7)
Decision 2013/255/CFSP should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
OJ L 147, 1.6.2013, p. 14.
Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism (OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 70).
Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 of 27 May 2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida organisations(OJ L 139, 29.5.2002, p. 9).
Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1686 of 20 September 2016 imposing additional restrictive measures directed against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and natural and legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them (OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 1).