Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2194 of 13 December 2021 implementing Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 of 18 January 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and repealing Regulation (EU) No 442/2011 (1), and in particular Article 32(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 18 January 2012, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 36/2012.

(2) The Council remains deeply concerned about the situation in Syria.

(3) The Wagner Group, a Russia-based unincorporated private military entity, provides a crucial contribution to Bashar al-Assad’s war efforts in Syria, in particular by training and directing Syrian forces and regime-affiliated militias.

(4) The Council considers that two persons involved in the military operations of the Wagner group in Syria, as well as three companies benefiting from and supporting the Syrian regime should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 36/2012.

(5) Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date 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, 13 December 2021.

For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) OJ L 16, 19.1.2012, p. 1.