TITLE: European Union Council Extends Restrictive Measures Against Syria Until June 2027
BODY:
On May 18, 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1105 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, alongside Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1106 implementing the same framework.
The Council extended the regime of restrictive measures until June 1, 2027. The decision involved significant amendments to the sanctions framework. The Council deleted entries for seven entities from the list of natural and legal persons, entities, or bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to the decision. Additionally, the Council updated and amended entries for 11 natural persons listed in Annex I.
Ten countries aligned themselves with the Council decision: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova (Republic of), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine. These countries committed to ensuring that their national policies conform to the decision. The European Union welcomed this alignment.
The decisions are published in the Official Journal of the European Union under references OJ L 2026/1105 (May 19, 2026) and OJ L 2026/1106 (May 19, 2026).
REFERENCES:
Council of the European Union. "Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria." May 29, 2026. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/05/29/statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-alignment-of-certain-countries-concerning-restrictive-measures-in-view-of-the-situation-in-syria/