European Union to intend new sanctions on Belarus
The European Union intends to extend sanctions on Belarus, EU officials and diplomats said on Friday. EU foreign ministers will add 16 names to a list of Belarusian officials targeted by asset freezes and travel bans and discuss extending such steps to some Belarusian businesses.
The ministers will also add 29 names to a list of 32 Iranians targeted by similar measures due to their association with serious human rights violations.
Officials and diplomats said that on Monday an EU committee would endorse an agreement in principle to add the Syrian Commercial Bank to a sanctions list. The sanctions would involve an asset freeze and a bar on European firms from doing business with it, a step that would take effect later in the week.