The Foreign Ministers of 27 EU countries pursuing the aim to encourage the Syrian authorities to end the ongoing violence in this country took the decision to ban trade with the Syrian government agencies in gold, other precious metals, and diamonds at a meeting in Brussels on Monday.
"Today's decisions will put further pressure on those who are responsible for the ruthless campaign of repression in Syria. The measures target the regime and its ability to conduct the appalling violence against civilians. As long as the repression continues, the EU will keep imposing sanctions," said Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Anti-government protests in Syria continued from the middle of March 2011. According to UN figures, the total number of victims exceeded 5,000 people, but human rights activists have reported about more than 7,500 deaths.
Syrian officials said that clashes with the armed opposition killed more than two thousand soldiers and police officers assailed by well-armed militants.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
