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EU Lifts Key Sanctions on Syria: Legal and Compliance Implications Amid Evolving Opportunities

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in EU, European Regulations, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa, Syria
Earlier this week, the Council of the EU adopted a series of legal instruments giving effect to what had been agreed on 20 May 2025, to significantly reduce sanctions on the Syrian Arab Republic. As a result, all EU economic restrictive measures targeting Syria have been lifted, except for those maintained on specific security-related grounds. … Continue Reading

UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) Updates Financial Sanctions

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria, United Kingdom
OFSI, part of the HM Treasury, working toward ensuring that financial sanctions are properly implemented and enforced in the UK, has updated numerous financial sanctions that are currently in force. The recent updates are for financial sanctions in the following regions and industries: ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida Organizations Nicaragua Venezuela Central African Republic Ukraine – Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity Syria Libya … Continue Reading

UK Suspends Arms Exports to Turkey

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria, United Kingdom
The UK has reportedly suspended the granting of arms export licenses for Turkey in relation to weapons that could potentially be used for military operations in Syria. The suspension follows British ministers ordering a full review into Turkish arms licenses. Liz Truss, the UK’s International Trade Secretary, commented that the International Trade Department “will take into account any developments in the … Continue Reading

EU Decides to Suspend Issuance of License for Arms Export to Turkey

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in EU, European Regulations, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa, Syria
In response to the most recent developments in the Syrian conflict, the Council of the EU decided to halt arms exports licensing to Turkey on October 2019. This decision is based on the criterion that such exports could endanger regional stability. This decision is not a formal sanction, but it is a political declaration to which EU member states will … Continue Reading

US Sanctions Persons Connected to Iran’s Ballistic Missile Programme

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in China, East Asia & the Pacific, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa, Syria, US, US Regulation
On 17 May 2017, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated for sanctions seven persons connected to Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Among those targeted by the sanctions are two senior Iranian defense officials, including the Deputy Director for Commerce of Iran’s Defense Industries Organization, Morteza Farasatpour. Farasatpour was responsible for coordinating … Continue Reading

EU General Court Rejects Syria Annulment Application

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, European Regulations, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa, Syria
On 18 May, the General Court of the EU dismissed Rami Makhlouf’s annulment application for his listing on the EU’s restrictive measures targeting Syria. The General Court did so on the basis that he is a member of the Makhlouf family, has close ties to and supports the Assad regime, and is an influential businessman … Continue Reading

Council of the European Union Extends Sanctions Against Syria Until 1 June 2018

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, European Regulations, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa, Syria
On 30 May, the Council adopted Decision 2017/917 that extends the EU’s sanctions against Syria until 1 June 2018, amending Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP. The sanctions impose travel bans and asset freezes against individuals supporting or associated with the Syrian regime or oppression in the country. A total of three ministers of the Syrian government have … Continue Reading

EU Extends Its Sanctions Against Syria

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria
The sanctions, which are in place until 1 June 2017, include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, freeze of assets of a number of individuals and entities in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression and for monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. Decision … Continue Reading

British Citizen Extradited to US for Alleged Export Violations

By Trade Practitioner on Posted in Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria, United Kingdom, US
A British citizen was extradited from the UK to the US in connection with charges that he conspired with his brother and an American to illegally export lab equipment from the US to Syria. The conspirants allegedly prepared invoices that undervalued and mislabelled the lab equipment, which included industrial engines, gas masks and chemical warfare … Continue Reading
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