Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1325 of 17 July 2017 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/44 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 of 31 July 2015 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya, and repealing Decision 2011/137/CFSP (1),

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 of 18 January 2016 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya and repealing Regulation (EU) No 204/2011 (2),

Whereas:

(1) On 6 February 2017, the Council noted that the smuggling of migrants and trafficking of human beings contributes to destabilising the political and security situation in Libya.

(2) On 17 July 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/1338 (3), which applies export restrictions on certain goods to Libya which may be used for smuggling migrants and trafficking in human beings.

(3) Regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary in order to implement the measures, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application by economic operators in all Member States.

(4) Regulation (EU) 2016/44 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EU) 2016/44 is amended as follows:

Article 2

The text set out in the Annex to this Regulation shall be inserted as Annex VII to Regulation (EU) 2016/44.

Article 3

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 July 2017.

For the Council The President F. MOGHERINI

(1) OJ L 206, 1.8.2015, p. 34.

(2) OJ L 12, 19.1.2016, p. 1.

(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/1338 of 17 July 2017 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya (see page 49 of this Official Journal).