We strongly condemn EU’s decision to extend for another year the coercive measures imposed to the institution and some of its employees, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed through a statement issued this Tuesday.

The document assured that the actions lack the slightest degree of objectivity and credibility, and come in the context of the lies they promote and their continued attempts to politicize the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

We confirm once again that desperate attempts to further attack Syria will fail and will only increase Damascus’ insistence to continue to defend its sovereignty and interests, and prevent any interference in its affairs, the communique stated.

The Council of the European Union recently approved the extension until October 16, 2022, of the sanctions regime against entities and individuals allegedly responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons.

The punitive measures include travel bans to the EU countries and asset freezes.

pgh/iff/npg/fm