Highlights

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Foreign ministers warned Syria on 20 June that the EU is working on fresh sanctions against al-Assad's regime, recalling that restrictive measures target individuals and entities. The Council called for an immediate end to the unacceptable violence against the civilian population and fundamental change of policy by the leadership without delay.

"On Syria, we have already imposed two sets of sanctions and we are preparing to expand our restrictive measures. We condemn in the strongest terms the continuing repression of the people in the country," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who chaired the meeting. "President al-Assad has to launch a credible, genuine and inclusive dialogue, and it's up to the people in Syria to judge the willingness to reform."

High Representative Ashton's reaction to the televised address by President al-Assad the same day was "At first glance, the speech was disappointing."

"The EU continues its diplomatic efforts with partners from the international community to ensure that the UN Security Council assumes its responsibility in relation to the situation in Syria and its regional implications," said the conclusions adopted by the foreign ministers.

The Foreign Affairs Council imposed a second round of EU sanctions on the Syrian regime on 23 May, when it added President Bashar al-Assad and nine other senior members of the government to the list of individuals already banned from travelling to the EU and subject to assets freezes.

More information:
Council conclusions on Syria (pdf)