The Syrian Opposition Coalition welcomed the European Union decision to add eight newly appointed ministers of the Assad regime to its sanctions list for involvement in crimes against the Syrian people.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the SOC stressed that the decision “represents a positive step indicating the EU intent to maintain pressure aimed at boosting chances of reaching a political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Geneva Communique of 2012.”
“We will always welcome such moves even though the individuals targeted by the new sanctions are mere pawns at the hands of the regime’s security services which have total control on the decision-making process in Syria.”
The SOC called for these sanctions to be “reinforced with concrete action as the Assad regime has not made any concessions nor complied with any resolutions for half a century except under strong international pressure and under the direct threat of the use of force.”
The decision by the EU’s 27 member countries bans the ministers from traveling to Europe and will see their assets frozen. The EU’s official journal on Friday added the names of the ministers of oil and mineral resources, industry, health, agriculture and three ministers of state.
The ministers of finance, justice, trade, transport, culture, education and water resources had already been added on October 16. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
