(1)

On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).

(2)

Following the fall of al-Assad’s regime in Syria, in its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council stressed the historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country and underlined the importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).

(3)

In light of the fall of al-Assad’s regime, which was responsible for the violent repression of the Syrian civil population, and following the invitation by the European Council to the Commission and the High Representative to submit options for measures to support Syria, the Council has reviewed the restrictive measures set out in Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

(4)

On the basis of this review, and with a view to encouraging an inclusive transition in Syria and to support humanitarian aid delivery, economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilisation, as well as facilitating the return of Syrian nationals to Syria along with their belongings, the Council considers that a number of restrictive measures should be suspended.

(5)

To ensure the effectiveness of the suspensions of the restrictive measures, the Council considers that six entities should be removed from the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources. The assets of one of those entities should remain frozen.

(6)

In this regard, the Council also considers it appropriate to introduce certain exemptions to the prohibition of establishing banking relations between Syrian banks and financial institutions within the territories of the Member States.

(7)

Moreover, the Council should introduce an exemption to the prohibition on the sale, supply, transfer or export of luxury goods to Syria.

(8)

In order to strengthen efforts aimed at humanitarian aid delivery, economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilisation, the Council should remove the reference to an expiration date for the humanitarian exemption, as outlined in Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1496 (2), which concerns an exemption from asset freeze measures applicable to, and from the restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to, natural or legal persons, entities or bodies designated under Decision 2013/255/CFSP, for the benefit of certain categories of actors.

(9)

The Council will closely follow the developments in Syria, particularly as regards the concerns expressed in the European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024, to examine the appropriateness of the continued suspension of and exemptions to the restrictive measures concerned.

(10)

In this context, the Council notes that the delimitation of maritime zones should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations. Any violation of neighbouring States’ sovereign rights within their maritime zones in accordance with law of the sea, will be duly considered in the context of the constant review of the restrictive measures.

(11)

Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures in this Decision.

(12)

Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Article 13 is replaced by the following:

(2)

in Article 22, the following paragraphs are added:

(3)

in Article 28, the following paragraph is added:

(4)

in Article 28a(1), the words ‘until 1 June 2025’ are deleted;

(5)

the following Article is inserted:

(6)

Article 29 is replaced by the following:

(7)

in Article 30, paragraph 1, is replaced by the following:

(8)

Article 31 is replaced by the following:

(9)

Article 34 is replaced by the following:

(10)

the Annexes are amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.