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3.9.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
228/19
COUNCIL DECISION
of 2 September 2011
partially suspending the application of the Cooperation Agreement between the European
Economic Community and the Syrian Arab Republic
(2011/523/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Council 17th Special Session on the ″Situation of human
rights in the Syrian Arab Republic ″ in which she recalled
that, in its report of 18 August, the fact-finding mission
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
to Syria requested by the Human Rights Council had
Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with
found a pattern of widespread or systematic human
Article 218(9) thereof,
rights violations by Syrian security and military forces,
including murder, enforced disappearances, torture,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
deprivation of liberty, and persecution. The High
Commissioner considered that the scale and nature of
these acts may amount to crimes against humanity and
Whereas:
urged the members of the Security Council to consider
referring the current situation in Syria to the Inter
national Criminal Court.
(1) On the 18 January 1977, the European Economic
Community and the Syrian Arab Republic concluded
a Cooperation Agreement
(
(7)
On the same day, the Union condemned the brutal

1 ) ( ′the Cooperation
Agreement ′) to promote overall cooperation with a
campaign being waged by Bashar Al-Assad and his
view to strengthening relations between the Parties.
regime against their own people which had led to the
killing or injury of many Syrian citizens. The Union has
repeatedly emphasised that the brutal repression must be
(2) The
Cooperation
Agreement
is
based
on
the
common
stopped, detained protesters released, free access by inter
desire of the Parties to maintain and strengthen friendly
national humanitarian and human rights organisations
relations in accordance with the principles of the United
and media allowed, and a genuine and inclusive
Nations Charter.
national dialogue launched. The Syrian leadership,
however, has remained defiant in the face of calls from
the Union and the broader international community.
(3) Pursuant
to
Article
3(5)
of
the
Treaty
on
European
Union, in its relations with the wider world, the Union
is notably to contribute to peace, security and the
(8) On
23
August
2011,
the
Human
Rights
Council
adopted
protection of human rights as well as to the strict
a Resolution on grave human rights violations in the
observance and the development of international law,
Syrian Arab Republic in which it strongly condemned
including respect for the principles of the United
the continued grave human rights violations by the
Nations Charter.
Syrian authorities, reiterated its call upon the Syrian
authorities to comply with their obligations under inter
national law, stressed the need for an international, trans
(4) Pursuant
to
Article
21(1)
of
the
Treaty
on
European
parent, independent and prompt investigation into
Union, the Union's action on the international scene is
alleged violations of international law, including actions
to be guided by the principles which have inspired its
that may constitute crimes against humanity and to hold
own creation, development and enlargement, and which
those responsible to account, and decided to dispatch an
it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the
independent international commission of inquiry to
rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human
investigate violations of international human rights law
rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human
in Syria.
dignity, the principle of equality and solidarity, and
respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter
(9) According to the Preamble of the Cooperation
and international law.
Agreement, both Parties wished, by concluding the
Agreement, to demonstrate their common desire to
(5) Since
March
2011,
protests
grew
against
specific
abuses
maintain and strengthen friendly relations in accordance
of power by Syrian officials against the general backdrop
with the principles of the United Nations Charter. In the
of growing economic and political discontent. Cautious
current circumstances, the Union considers that the
protests which began in marginalised regions developed
current situation in Syria is in clear violation of the
into a countrywide uprising. The Syrian authorities have
principles of the United Nations Charter which constitute
responded, and continue to respond, in a very violent
the basis of the cooperation between Syria and the
manner including by the shooting of peaceful protestors.
Union.
(10) Considering the extreme seriousness of the violations
(6) On
18
August
2011,
the
UN
High
Commissioner
for
perpetrated by Syria in breach of general international
Human Rights issued a statement to the Human Rights
law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,
the Union has decided to adopt additional restrictive
( 1 ) OJ L 269, 27.9.1978, p. 2.
measures against the Syrian regime.

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L 228/20
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
3.9.2011
(11) In this regard, the application of the Cooperation
Syrian Arab Republic are suspended in so far as the measures
Agreement should be partially suspended until the
listed in the Annex to this Decision are concerned.
Syrian authorities put an end to the systematic violations
of human rights and can again be considered as being in
compliance with general international law and the
Article 2
principles which form the basis of the Cooperation
Agreement.
This Decision shall be notified to the Syrian Arab Republic.
(12) Considering
that
the
suspension
should
aim
at
targeting
the Syrian authorities only and not the people of Syria,
Article 3
the suspension should be limited. Since crude oil and
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication
petroleum products are at present the products whose
in the Official Journal of the European Union.
trade most benefits the Syrian regime and which thus
supports its repressive policies, the suspension of
the Agreement should be limited to crude oil and
petroleum products,
Done at Brussels, 2 September 2011.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
For the Council
Articles 12, 14 and 15 of the Cooperation Agreement
The President
between the European Economic Community and the
M. DOWGIELEWICZ

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EN
3.9.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
228/21
ANNEX
List of measures referred to in Article 1
(1) The importation of crude oil and petroleum products into the Union if they:
(a) originate in Syria; or
(b) have been exported from Syria;
(2) The purchase of crude oil or petroleum products which are located in or which originated in Syria;
(3) The transportation of crude oil or petroleum products if they originate in Syria, or are being exported from Syria to
any other country;
(4) The provision, directly or indirectly, financing or financial assistance, including financial derivatives , as well as
insurance and re-insurance, related to points (1), (2) and (3); and
(5) The participation, knowing and intentional, in activities whose object or effect is, directly or indirectly, to circumvent
the prohibitions set out in point (1), (2), (3) or (4).

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