Circular issued by International Group clubs Background Both the European Union and the United States continue to apply trade sanctions against the Government of Syria and a number of designated Syrian persons and entities. This circular provides a general overview of key sanctions that apply to Syria shipping and related insurance activities and also describes the potential impact of certain recent developments. EU sanctions EU sanctions against the Government of Syria have been effective since May 2011. The EU trade sanctions measures currently in force are set out in Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012, as amended and Council Regulation (EU) No 168/2012, which amends Council Regulation (EU) No 509/2012. The provisions most relevant to the shipping and marine insurance industries are: prohibitions on the sale, supply, transfer or export of listed luxury goods and certain dual-use items, chemicals and oil and petroleum products, including a ban against providing, directly or indirectly, financial assistance, insurance or reinsurance related to such activities, a prohibition on the transport of crude oil and petroleum products of Syrian origin, a prohibition on the provision of key equipment and technology for use in the oil and gas industry in Syria, or to be used in the construction or installation in Syria of new power plants for electricity production, a prohibition on the provision of insurance and reinsurance to the state of Syria or those acting on its behalf, a prohibition on the sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related material of all types, and of equipment that could be used for internal repression, asset freezes on a number of individuals and entities and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available (including the supply of goods) to designated persons held responsible for the violent repression of civilians. In addition, on 12 December 2014 the EU issued Regulation 1323/2014, prohibiting the sale, supply, transfer or export of