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

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

EU Publishes Regulation Concerning Restrictive Measures in Nicaragua

On October 14, 2019, the EU published a regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua. The EU sanctions target persons and entities responsible for human rights violations or abuses, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Nicaragua, as well as persons and entities whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine democracy and the rule of … Continue Reading

EU Adopts CFIUS-like Framework for Sake of National Security – Regulation Approved by the Council of EU

UPDATE: On March 5, 2019, the Council of the EU approved the Regulation establishing a framework for screening of foreign direct investments into the EU. As further explained below, the Regulation facilitates enhanced cooperation and exchange of information between EU member states and the European Commission. The Regulation could affect businesses and investors, as well as their interactions with government entities at … Continue Reading

EU Amends the Blocking Regulations to Counter US Sanctions Against Iran

The amended EU Blocking Regulation entered into force on August 8. The amendment extended the scope of US sanctions against Iran with which EU citizens or entities must not comply. In addition to the updated EU Blocking Regulation, the European Commission issued: Guidance Note — Questions and Answers: adoption of update of the Blocking Statute Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) … Continue Reading

EU Extends Its Sanctions to New Persons and Entities in Certain Third Countries

In July, following decisions of the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council, the European Commission lifted the freeze of funds and economic resources sanctions imposed on certain Iraqi entities, including some state owned enterprises (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/979, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1025 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1066).… Continue Reading

UK Implements EU’s Venezuela Sanctions Regime

On 6 December 2017, the Venezuela (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2017 entered into force in the UK. This regulation implements Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 and provides for the imposition of restrictive measures on persons or entities considered to be involved in undermining democratic principles and the rule of law, as … Continue Reading

Four Non-EU Countries Align With EU Sanctions Against Russia

On 31 January 2018, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy announced that Montenegro, Albania, Norway and Ukraine had aligned themselves with EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2426. They have, therefore, extended a part of the sanctions imposed on Russia in relation to its violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity … Continue Reading

EU Declassifies Negotiating Directives for EU-Chile Modernised Association Agreement

On 22 January 2018, the Council made public for the first time the directives given to the European Commission to negotiate a Modernised EU-Chile Association Agreement. Quite interestingly, the Commission should address specific issues such as the promotion and liberalisation of investments, the protection of intellectual property rights, the elimination of non-tariff barriers, the cooperation … Continue Reading

EU Reaches Agreement on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Directive

On 5 July 2016, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2015/849, which is intended to prevent the financial system from being used for money laundering or terrorist financing. Following negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament, a provisional agreement was … Continue Reading

EU Parliament Adopts Amendments on Dual-Use Items Regulation Proposal

Presented by the European Commission on 28 September 2016, the dual-use items Regulation Proposal aims at reviewing the export control regime of dual-use items. The proposal contains amendments to key export control notions, for example, the amending of the definition of “dual-use” to include cyber-surveillance technologies. It also clarifies controls on intangible technology transfer (ITT) … Continue Reading

EU Extends Asset-Freezing Sanctions in Connection to Situation in Tunisia

The EU extended asset-freezes against persons provided in Council Decision 2011/72/CFSP and in Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 101/2011 who are considered to be responsible for the misappropriation of Tunisian State funds. On 29 January 2018, the sanctions were extended until 31 January 2019 (See Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/141 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/137).… Continue Reading

EU Extends Its Sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo

On 11 December 2017, the Council extended its current sanctions regime against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) until 12 December 2018. These sanctions were adopted in response to the obstruction of the electoral process and the related human rights violations in DRC (See Council (CFSP) Decision 2017/2282). EU Candidate Countries Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, … Continue Reading

EU Adds Seven Venezuelan Officials to Restrictive Measures List

On 22 January 2018, the EU froze the assets of seven Venezuelan officials, notably including the Minister for Interior, the head of the Intelligence Service, the head of the National Electoral Council and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice. These individuals are considered by the EU to be “involved in the non-respect of … Continue Reading

EU Amends Restrictive Measures on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

On 8 January 2018, the EU aligned its North Korea sanctions list with part of UN Security Council Resolution 2397 adopted on 22 December 2017. Sixteen persons and one entity, the Ministry of the People‘s Armed Forces, have been added to the list of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions (See Council … Continue Reading

Part of EU Sanctions on Russia Extended Through July 2018

On 21 December 2017, the Council of the European Union prolonged sanctions targeting sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2018 (See Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2426). The restrictive measures include limited access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies, an export and import ban on trade in arms, … Continue Reading

CE Marking Post-Brexit

On 10 January 2018, the European Commission published important notice warning of the consequences that Brexit will have in the field of industrial products[1], which are subject to CE Marking requirements when placed on the European Union (EU) market. For those products, the European Commission confirmed that, to demonstrate compliance with CE Marking requirements for … Continue Reading

Commission Updates to EU Control List of Dual-use Items Enter into Force

On 16 December, the European Commission’s updates to the EU dual-use export control list entered into force. On 26 September 2017, the commission adopted the annual Delegated Regulation (2017/2268), which was published in the Official Journal on 15 December, updating the EU dual-use export control list in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009. The … Continue Reading

UK Introduces Regulations in Light of EU Sanctions on Venezuela

In November, the UK passed the Venezuela (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2017. The regulations follow the EU’s recent sanctions on Venezuela as part of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063. They cover offences, penalties and other provisions, such as reporting obligations. On 15 November, the UK Department for International Trade published a notice to exporters (Notice … Continue Reading

EU Amends Russia Prohibitions in Context of ExoMars 2020 Mission

On 30 November, the EU amended its Russia prohibitions to allow “[t]he provision, directly or indirectly, of technical assistance, financing or financial assistance” related to the sale, supply, transfer or export and the import, purchase or transport of hydrazine in concentrations of 70% or more, provided that it is for named purposes concerning the ExoMars … Continue Reading

EU Trade Committee Votes to Control Export of Dual-Use Cyber-Surveillance Items

On 23 November, the EU Trade Committee voted to extend EU export controls to include cyber-surveillance technologies (i.e. ones that could be used not only for civilian purposes, but also in violation of human rights). The new rules would essentially modernise the existing dual-use regulation (428/2009) to encompass cyber-surveillance items that might be used as … Continue Reading
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