The Council added three individuals to the list of persons and entities subject to targeted EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria. The new listings are three recently appointed Ministers of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Louai Emad El-Din al-Munajjid, the recently re-appointed Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Firas Hassan Qaddour, and Minister of State, Ahmed Mohammad Bustaji. As members of the government, they share the responsibility for the Syrian regime’s continued violent repression against the civilian population. Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of them is prohibited. Restrictive measures under the Syria sanctions regime now apply to a total of 318 persons and 86 entities. The Council keeps developments in the Syrian conflict under constant review, and can decide to renew sanctions, and amend the list of targeted entities or persons based on developments on the ground. The European Union reiterates that the only path to sustainable peace for Syria is a political solution in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015). The EU condemns the Syrian regime continued policy of repression and violations of human rights against its own population, and its decade-long obstruction to a political solution. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. BackgroundSanctions on Syria were introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the Assad regime. The EU sanctions in place regarding Syria target the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime profits. EU restrictive measures in place regarding Syria are designed in a way that they do not impede the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. They do not prohibit the export of food, medicines or medical equipment by the EU to Syria, and they do not target Syria’s healthcare system. The sanctions regime includes a wide range of humanitarian exceptions to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. Following the tragic earthquake of 6 February 2023, the already existing humanitarian exceptions were strengthened to further facilitate the speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population. The EU and its member states have mobilised over €35 billion since 2011, remaining the largest provider of international aid and delivering humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. Since 2017, the EU has hosted yearly the Brussels Conference on 'Supporting the future of Syria and the Region' to keep Syria high on the international political agenda, to raise pledges for assistance to those in need, and to dialogue with Syrian civil society. This year’s edition took place on 27 May, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the Syrian people and Syria’s neighbours affected by the protracted crisis. | 
