EU economic sanctions against Syria extended until June 2015

BRUSSELS - The Council of the European Union (EU) on Thursday agreed to renew restrictive measures against Syria until June 1, 2015, after a review of the original decision taken on May 31, 2013.

The measures will include a number of export and import bans such as an oil embargo as well as restrictions on investments, financial activity and the transport sector.

An official statement said two persons and one entity have been removed from the original list of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures.

This leaves 179 persons associated with "the violent repression" in Syria under an asset freeze and travel ban. A total of 53 entities linked to "repressive policies," including the Central Bank of Syria, will continue to have their assets frozen within the EU.

The decision to extend the sanctions against Syria will be published in the EU Official Journal and come into force on May 29, 2014.