Brussels – European Union announced the extension of sanctions against Syrian authorities until June 1, 2018. This decision is in line with the EU strategy on Syria, which states that the EU will maintain its restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and its supporters as long as the repression of civilians continues.

“On 29 May 2017, the Council extended EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime until 1 June 2018,” EU Council said in a statement Monday.

Three Syrian ministers were also added to the list of those under EU restrictions, according to the Council.

The list now includes 240 persons and 67 entities targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria.

“At the same time the Council added to the list of those under restrictive measures 3 ministers of the Syrian government, and updated the information related to certain persons and entities on the list. It now includes 240 persons and 67 entities targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria,” it said.

The new sanctions’ list will be published in the council’s official gazette on Tuesday and will be effective as of the date of publication.

The current sanctions in place against Syria include oil embargo, an asset freeze of the Syrian central bank, restrictions on certain investments, and export restrictions on technology and equipment.

The statement said that EU’s unified decision still commits to finding a political solution for the struggle in the country.

EU’s strategy includes a political solution and supports an envoy as well as holding talks between warring Syrian parties.

Since the beginning of the crisis, EU allocated over nine million euros in donations for humanitarian aid in Syria.

The statement concluded that the EU is fully prepared to help rebuild Syria if a comprehensive political transition based on UN Resolution 2254 and the 2012 Geneva statement was put into action.