EU beefs sanctions against Assad regime, tightens arms embargoJuly 23, 2012 - 13:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU beefed up sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime on Monday, July 23 and agreed to tighten an arms embargo by inspecting vessels and planes suspected of carrying arms, diplomats said, according to AFP. Foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc began talks with an agreement to freeze the assets of 26 Syrians and three firms close to the Assad regime in the 17th round of sanctions since protests erupted in March 2011. They will be added to an existing EU blacklist of 129 people and 49 entities. European Union member states will also board planes and ships believed to be carrying arms or goods used by Damascus to put down protests, tightening a ban in May last year on arms and material that might be used for internal repression. Should a member of the EU suspect a vessel in its territorial waters to be carrying suspect cargo for Syria, it will be obliged to send inspectors. The same principle would be applied to air cargo. As fighting intensifies in Syria, also high on the agenda of Monday's talks will be how to prepare for a potential humanitarian crisis on Europe's doorstep. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |