DOCSLIB.ORG

Upgrading the Eu's Role As Global Actor

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Upgrading the Eu's Role As Global Actor UPGRADING THE EU'S ROLE AS GLOBAL ACTOR INSTITUTIONS, LAW AND THE RESTRUCTURING OF EUROPEAN DIPLOMACY MICHAEL EMERSON ROSA BALFOUR TIM CORTHAUT JAN WOUTERS PIOTR MACIEJ KACZYŃSKI THOMAS RENARD CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES (CEPS) EGMONT - THE ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EUROPEAN POLICY CENTRE (EPC) LEUVEN CENTRE FOR GLOBAL GOVERNANCE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) is an independent policy research institute in Brussels. Its mission is to produce sound policy research leading to constructive solutions to the challenges facing Europe. The views expressed are entirely those of the authors and should not be attributed to any institution with which they are associated. ISBN 978-94-6138-052-4 © Copyright 2011, Centre for European Policy Studies and the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the prior permission of the Centre for European Policy Studies. Centre for European Policy Studies Place du Congrès 1, B-1000 Brussels Tel: (32.2) 229.39.11 Fax: (32.2) 219.41.51 E-mail: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ................................................................................................................... i 1. Summary and Conclusions ............................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Analytical and legal framework ............................................................. 3 1.3 Upgrading the EU in international relations ........................................ 6 1.4 The costs of non-Europe … and the restructuring of European diplomacy .................................................................................................10 1.5 The new diplomacy .................................................................................12 2. Why should the EU be strongly represented in the international arena? ........................................................................................................................... 14 3. Legal Basis in the Lisbon Treaty and International Law .......................... 21 4. Hybrid Combinations of the EU & Member States in International Relations .......................................................................................................... 37 4.1 Categories .................................................................................................37 4.2 Guidelines for representation of the EU and member states ............39 4.3 Overview of the status quo and looking ahead...................................40 5. Restructuring of European Diplomatic Services ........................................ 47 5.1 Setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS) .................47 5.2 The costs of non-Europe and the restructuring of European diplomacy .................................................................................................52 6. Status Quo & Perspectives for Selected International Organisations, Conventions, Agreements & Summitry ...................................................... 65 6.1.1 UN General Assembly ...............................................................65 6.1.2 UN Security Council ...................................................................68 6.1.3 International Monetary Fund ....................................................70 6.1.4 World Bank ..................................................................................75 6.1.5 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), IFAD and WFP76 6.1.6 International Labour Organization (ILO) ................................77 6.1.7 UNCTAD .....................................................................................78 6.1.8 UN Development Programme (UNDP) ..................................78 6.1.9 Development cooperation ........................................................ 78 6.1.10 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) ................................... 80 6.1.11 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) & Kyoto Protocol ..................................................................................... 82 6.1.12 World Health Organization (WHO) ........................................ 84 6.1.13 World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) .............................................................................. 85 6.1.14 International Maritime Organization (IMO) and related agreements ............................................................................................... 86 6.1.15 Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and financial market regulation ................................................................................................. 88 6.1.16 Other economic organisations and regulatory agencies ...... 90 6.1.17 International courts .................................................................... 91 6.1.18 UNHCR (refugees), Human Rights Council, IOM (migration) 93 6.1.19 Arms control – conventions and organisations ..................... 94 6.2 European and Euro-Atlantic multilateral organisations ................... 96 6.2.1 OECD and IEA ........................................................................... 96 6.2.2 Council of Europe, European Convention (and Court) for Human Rights ......................................................................................... 98 6.2.3 OSCE ............................................................................................ 99 6.2.4 European Economic Area (EEA) ............................................ 101 6.2.5 EBRD .......................................................................................... 101 6.2.6 Energy Charter Treaty ............................................................. 102 6.2.7 Energy Community Treaty (for South-East Europe) .......... 102 6.2.8 NATO ........................................................................................ 102 6.3 Semi-institutionalised summitry and diplomacy ............................. 105 6.3.1 G7/8/20..................................................................................... 105 6.3.2 Bilateral summits (strategic partnership cases) ................... 108 6.3.3 European neighbourhood and other multilateral regional processes ................................................................................................ 108 6.3.4 Conflict prevention/resolution .............................................. 112 Glossary............................................................................................................... 115 Annexes .............................................................................................................. 117 Annex A. Overview of EU Participation in the UN System ....................117 Annex B. International Organisations and Conventions in which the EU Participates fully by virtue of a Regional Economic Integration Organisation (REIO) or Regional Integration Organisation (RIO) clause .......................................................................................................120 Annex C. Overview of EU Participation in International Maritime Organizations .........................................................................................123 Annex D. Voting Weights on the Board of the IMF .................................125 Annex E. Voting Weights on the Board of the World Bank, before and after 2010 Reform ...................................................................................126 Annex F. Constituencies on the Boards of the IMF and World Bank ....127 Annex G. Shareholdings in the EBRD (capital subscribed in € mil.) .....128 Annex H. Constituencies on the Board of the EBRD ................................130 Annex I. Extracts from the Lisbon Treaty ..................................................131 Annex J. The Common Visa Application Centre in Moldova .................135 Annex K. Statement by the E3+3 with the support of the EU High Representative following the adoption, 9 June 2010, of UN Security Council Resolution 1929 on the Iranian nuclear programme ..........136 Annex L. Draft Resolution A/64/L67 of the UN General Assembly – Participation of the European Union in the work of the UN ..........137 Annex M. UN General Assembly Voting on Motion to Adjourn the Debate on Participation of the EU in the UN, 13 September 2010 ..139 Annex N. Staffing in the Foreign Services of the EU and the MS ..........141 Annex O. Budget Expenditure on Diplomacy of the EU and Member States a .....................................................................................................142 Annex P. Aid (ODA) Expenditures of the EU and Member States and Administering Departments ................................................................143 List of Boxes Box 1. Lisbon Treaty – objectives of the EU’s external policy (TEU, Article 21) ........................................................................................... 17 Box 2. Lisbon Treaty – legal competences in external affairs ........................ 29 Box 3. Treaty texts referring to the EU as a Regional Economic Integration Organisation (REIO) or Regional Integration Organisation (RIO). ................................................................. 33 Box 4. G-20 Communiqué of Finance Ministers and Central
Load more

Recommended publications
  • CARIFORUM-UE 3651/18 1 the Fourth Meeting of the Joint
    CARIFORUM-EU Brussels, 6 November 2018 ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT CARIFORUM-UE 3651/18 MINUTES Subject: Minutes of the Fourth Meeting of the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council, held on 17 November 2017 in Brussels, Belgium The Fourth Meeting of the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council (referred to hereafter as 'the Joint Council') took place in Brussels, Belgium, on 17 November 2017. The Joint Council was chaired on behalf of the European Union jointly by Mr Sven MIKSER, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, who represented the Council of the EU, and by Ms Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, European Commissioner for Trade. Ms Kamina JOHNSON SMITH, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, served as CARIFORUM High Representative. CARIFORUM-UE 3651/18 1 EN 1. OPENING OF THE MEETING The Co-Chairs welcomed the participants to the Meeting. The list of participants is set out in Annex 1 to these Minutes. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA The Joint Council adopted the agenda as set out in document CARIFORUM-UE 3651/1/17 REV 1, as set out in Annex 2 to these Minutes. 3. PROCEDURAL MATTERS The Joint Council agreed on the procedures for conducting its business. 4. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS REPORT BY THE CARIFORUM-EU TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The Joint Council took note of the oral progress report by the EU on the Seventh Meeting of the CARIFORUM-EU Trade and Development Committee (TDC), held on 15 November 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. The progress report is set out in Annex 3A to these Minutes. The essence of the reaction by the CARIFORUM High Representative is set out in Annex 3B to these Minutes.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Partnership Agreement Between the Cariforum States, of the One Part, and the European Community and Its Member States, of the Other Part
    Organization of American States ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CARIFORUM STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE OTHER PART Article 1 The objectives of this Agreement are: a)Contributing to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty through the establishment of a trade partnership consistent with the objective of sustainable development, the Millennium Development Goals and the Cotonou Agreement; b)Promoting regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance thus establishing and implementing an effective, predictable and transparent regulatory framework for trade and investment between the Parties and in the CARIFORUM region; c)Promoting the gradual integration of the CARIFORUM States into the world Objectives economy, in conformity with their political choices and development priorities; d)Improving the CARIFORUM States' capacity in trade policy and trade related issues; e)Supporting the conditions for increasing investment and private sector initiative and enhancing supply capacity, competitiveness and economic growth in the CARIFORUM region; f)Strengthening the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest. To this end, taking into account their respective levels of development and consistent with WTO obligations, the Agreement shall enhance commercial and economic relations, support a new trading dynamic between the Parties by means of the progressive, asymmetrical liberalisation of trade between them and reinforce, broaden
    [Show full text]
  • EU Agreement on Enhanced Political Dialogue and Cooperation
    INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL DIALOGUE a focus on current issues Issue 126/April 2016 The Implications of the Cuba -EU Agreement on Enhanced Political Dialogue and Cooperation Dr Siphamandla Zondi is the Siphamandla Zondi Head of Institute for Global Dialogue associated with Unisa Havana finds Brussels Again On Friday, 11 March 2016, the European Union and Cuba signed a historic agreement, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), to further improve relations that have grown slowly since the start of high-level dialogue between the two parties in 2008. This coincides with the growing rapprochement Global Insight aims to between Cuba and the US under Barack Obama, and suggests that something provide members of the deeper than meets the eye is happening in Cuba's foreign relations. policy community with concise but trenchant While this might be seen as marking the beginning of the end of an important analyses of topical issues. Comments and chapter of the Cold War global relations that remained frozen after the collapse of suggestions are invited. the Soviet Union. Relations between the West and Cuba represent a rescue of Cold War diplomacy and power relations. Whether the recent developments mark a break with this ideological quagmire and if the Cuba-EU agreement will overcome the deep-seated conditions that have frozen the relations up to this point are key questions to be debated as we discuss the future of Cuba in the world. Also crucial is to reflect on the implications of this for the Cuban model of governance and development. Repeatedly, the US intensified its efforts to bring Cuba to its knees, ensuring that the benefits of intense globalization after full-scale Cold War did not extend to this island state.
    [Show full text]
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
    LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN The EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean are multifaceted and conducted at different levels. The EU interacts with the entire region through summits of the heads of state and government, while agreements and political dialogue bind the EU and the Caribbean, Central America, the Andean Community, Mercosur and individual countries. LEGAL BASIS — Title V (EU external action) of the Treaty on European Union; — Titles I-III and V (common commercial policy; development cooperation and humanitarian aid; international agreements) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. REGION-TO-REGION RELATIONS A. The summits The first summit between the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1999 and established a Bi-regional Strategic Partnership. The most recent biennial summit, held in June 2015 in Brussels, was the second between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños, CELAC). The summits strengthen links between the two regions at the highest level and address issues on the bi-regional and international agendas. Debates have focused on topics such as democracy and human rights; fighting poverty; promoting social cohesion, innovation and technology; and the environment and climate change. The Brussels summit adopted a short political declaration, a longer declaration on the different aspects of the partnership and an EU- CELAC action plan, based on the priorities established by the recent
    [Show full text]
  • The European Union Perception of Cuba: from Frustration to Irritation* Joaquín Roy
    RFC-03-2 The European Union Perception of Cuba: From Frustration to Irritation* Joaquín Roy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fidel Castro dramatically selected the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his failed attack against the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba on July 26, 1953, for his rejection of any kind of humanitarian assistance, economic cooperation, and political dialogue with the European Union (EU) and its member states, signalling one of the lowest points in European- Cuban relations.1 Just days before the anniversary of what later history would recognize as the prelude of the Cuban Revolution, the European Union’s Foreign Relations Council issued a harsh criticism of the regime’s latest policies and personal insults against some European leaders (notably, Spain’s José María Aznar), in essence freezing all prospects of closer relations. The overall context was, of course, the global uncertainty of the U.S. occupation of Iraq in the aftermath of the post-September 11 tension. Having survived the end of the Cold War and the perennial U.S. harassment, the Castro regime seemed to have lost its most precious alternative source of international cooperation, if not economic support. RESUMEN Fidel Castro escogió de manera espectacular la fecha de conmemoración del Aniversario 50 del fallido ataque al cuartel Moncada en Santigo de Cuba, el 26 de julio de 1953, para anunciar su rechazo a cualquier tipo de ayuda humanitaria, cooperación económica y diálogo político con la Unión Europea (UE) y sus estados miembros, lo cual marca uno de los niveles más bajos de las relaciones entre Cuba y la UE.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Costs and Benefits of a Closer EU-Canada Economic
    Acknowledgements This report was produced by the Government of Canada (led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada) and the European Commission (led by DG Trade), in response to a request formulated by Leaders at the 2007 EU-Canada Summit. The assistance of Professor Walid Hejazi (Rotman Business School, University of Toronto) in the drafting of this study and of Professor Joe Francois (University of Linz) in the economic modelling part of the study is gratefully acknowledged. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Executive Summary......................................................................................... i Introduction and Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................ i Executive Summary...................................................................................................................iii Part 1: Overview of Bilateral Economic Relations .................................................................... 1 1.1 The Current State of the EU-Canada Bilateral Economic Relationship............................... 1 1.2 Economic Policy-Making in the EU and Canada ................................................................. 4 1.3 Economic Relationships with Third Parties.......................................................................... 9 1.4 Analysis of Trade and Production Structures in the EU and Canada ................................. 15 Part 2: Analysis of Factors Affecting EU-Canada Trade and Investment...........................
    [Show full text]
  • EU Trade with Latin America and the Caribbean: Overview and Figures Page 1 of 34
    EU trade with Latin America and the Caribbean Overview and figures IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Authors: Gisela Grieger and Roderick Harte Members' Research Service PE 625.186 – September 2018 EN This publication provides an overview of trade relations between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries and groupings. The EU has fully fledged agreements with two Latin American groupings (Cariforum and the Central America group), a multiparty trade agreement with three members of the Andean Community (Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru), and bilateral agreements with Chile and Mexico. Since November 2017, a new agreement governing trade relations with Cuba has also been provisionally applied. In addition, the EU is currently modernising its agreements with Mexico (with which it has reached an 'agreement in principle') and Chile. The EU also has framework agreements with Mercosur and its individual members (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The agreement with the former will be replaced, once the ongoing negotiations on an EU-Mercosur association agreement have been completed. This publication provides recent data on trade relations between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries and groupings, compares the main agreements governing trade relations that are already in place, and analyses the rationale behind the ongoing negotiations on the EU-Mercosur, EU-Mexico and EU-Chile agreements. This paper has been drawn up by the Members' Research Service, within the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS) of the Secretariat of the European Parliament. To contact the authors, please email: [email protected] Original manuscript, in English, completed in September 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • Caribbean Regional Report on the Mid-Term Review of SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action
    Caribbean regional report on the mid-term review of SIDS accelerated modalities of action 2 2 ECLAC – Studies and Perspectives Series – The Caribbean – No. Caribbean regional report on the mid-term review... Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................... 101 I. Means of implementation ............................................................................................................... 15 A. Coherence and linkages between the Caribbean SIDS sustainable development agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, other global and regional frameworks and coordinating mechanisms ....................................................................................................... 15 1. Intergovernmental bodies ............................................................................................... 15 2. United Nations bodies .................................................................................................... 17 3. Selected cases supporting environmental governance in ............................................... 18 the context of sustainable development ................................................................................. 18 B. National institutionalisation of the SIDS sustainable development agenda ........................... 19 1. Regional
    [Show full text]
  • Gesellschaft Im Wandel a Changing Society Die Neue
    01/12 Das Magazin für DAAD-Alumni The magazine for DAAD alumni www.daad-magazin.de GESELLSCHAFT IM WANDEL A CHANGING SOCIETY DIE NEUE LUST AN DER PHILOSOPHIE THE RETURN OF PHILOSOPHY Maciej Noskowski/Vetta (2) Maciej Noskowski/Vetta „ExistenzundDasein: DeutschePhilosophie lebtdavon.Alsobinichhier.“ Servanne Jollivet, Frankreich, Absolventin der Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) Paris, promoviert an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Sie beschäftigt sich vor allem mit Martin Heidegger. Das Foto wurde in der Philologischen Bibliothek der Freien Universität Berlin aufgenommen. B_PHIL_Jollivet_02_1_dt.pdfB_PHIL_Jollivet_02_1_dt_rz.indd 1 18.04.12 17:42 RUBIntrROIK AE DRIUBTORRIKI L LETTER 01/2012 UPDATE BRASILIEN Mitte Februar 2012 haben Bundes­ außenminister Guido Westerwelle und DAAD­ Gesellschaft Präsidentin Margret Wintermantel das Deutsche Wissenschafts­ und Innovationshaus (DWIH) in São Paulo eröffnet. Die neue Einrichtung in der im Wandel brasilianischen Wirtschaftsmetropole will den A changing society wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Aus­ tausch mit Partnern in Brasilien vertiefen und Interesse für den Forschungsstandort Deutsch­ land wecken. Es ist nach New York das zweite von fünf geplanten DWIH weltweit, das offiziell die Arbeit aufgenommen hat. Am 10. und 11. Mai LIEBE LESERINNEN UND LESER, in diesem treffen sich DWIH­Vertreter zu einem „Global Jahr hat sich der DAAD zum ersten Mal ein Workshop“ in Berlin. Jahresthema gestellt, das uns in vielen Ver- BRAZIL In mid­February 2012 Federal Foreign anstaltungen weltweit begleiten wird: „Ge- Minister Guido Westerwelle and DAAD Presi­ sellschaft im Wandel – Wandel durch Aus- dent Margret Wintermantel officially opened the tausch“. Auf meinen Reisen beeindruckt German House of Science and Innovation (DWIH) mich immer wieder der große Aufbruchs- in São Paulo.
    [Show full text]
  • Continuing the United Kingdom's Trade Relationship with The
    Continuing the United Kingdom’s trade relationship with the CARIFORUM States Continuing the United Kingdom’s trade relationship with the CARIFORUM States Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part May 2019 Continuing the United Kingdom’s trade relationship with the CARIFORUM States Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for International Trade by Command of Her Majesty May 2019 © Crown copyright 2019 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government- licence/version/3 Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at [email protected] ISBN 978-1-5286-1286-9 CCS0519196036 05/19 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum Printed in the UK by the APS Group on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Contents Introduction 6 Legal approach 7 Resources 7 Economic Background 8 Economic impact of the existing EPA 11 Potential loss to UK if the CARIFORUM-UK EPA is not ratified 12 Immediate impact if not ratified 12 Explanation of this Agreement, including Significant Differences between the CARIFORUM-UK EPA and the Existing EPA 16
    [Show full text]
  • Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference 2011.Pdf
    Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe SECOND ANNUAL TRANSATLANTIC MINORITY POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE March 24, 2011 European Parliament Brussels, Belgium E-Report Overview The Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference has taken place annually at the headquarters of the European Parlia- ment in Brussels since the seminal Black European Summit (BES): Transatlantic Dialogue on Political Inclusion, held in 2009. The events focus on Black and ethnic minority political participation in Europe and North America. This year’s Conference focused on the social and political inclusion of ethnic and racial minority popula- tions in Europe and the United States. Participants considered the adoption of an EU-U.S. Joint Strategy on Racial and Ethnic Equality, similar to current United States’ initiatives with Brazil and Colombia that address issues of inequality and discrimination. Agenda 1:00 – 2:15 pm Welcome Lunch Speakers: The Honorable Hannes Swoboda MEP, Socialist &Democrats Group The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Claude Moraes, MEP, Socialist &Democrats Group 2:30 – 4:15 pm Parliamentary Forum: Including Diversity on the Transatlantic Agenda: The case for a EU-U.S. Joint Strategy on Racial and Ethnic Equality and Inclusion Forum Chairs: The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives The Honorable Peter Skinner, Member of the European Parliament Special Remarks: Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary General, European External Action Service Witnesses: Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos, Head of Equality and Citizens' Rights Department, European Union Fundamental Rights Agency Zakiya Carr Johnson, Sr. Advisor, Race, Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Baroness Catherine Ashton High Representative of the European
    HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Avenue des Gaulois, 7 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: + 32 (2) 732-2009 Fax: + 32 (2) 732-0471 Baroness Catherine Ashton High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Vice-President of the European Commission 200, rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels Brussels, August 13th , 2011 Dear High Representative, I am writing to urge you to support the urgent adoption of a European Union freeze on any assets, located within the European Union, of the Syrian National Oil Company, Syrian National Gas Company, and the Central Bank of Syria, until the Syrian government demonstrates that it has stopped committing gross human rights abuses against its own citizens. As the human rights situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, the freezing of assets in the European Union would send a powerful message to the Syrian government that its assets in the EU would not be freely available to finance repression or fund serious human rights abuses. While we welcome the targeted sanctions already invoked by the EU against 35 Syrian officials and four entities in response to widespread, serious, and un-remedied human rights abuses by Syrian security forces, we believe the time has come for the EU to freeze the assets of these additional three key Syrian government institutions. Such sanctions would be similar to those the EU imposed against the Libyan oil sector and central bank earlier this year. Since the beginning of antigovernment protests in mid-March, Human Rights Watch has documented a systematic pattern of serious human rights violations committed by Syria‘s authorities.
    [Show full text]