Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1959 of 11 November 2021 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1959of 11 November 2021implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in VenezuelaTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in VenezuelaOJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 21., and in particular Article 17(1) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/2063.(2)On 12 November 2020, the Council, considering the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and the persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1700Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1700 of 12 November 2020 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 381, 13.11.2020, p. 24)., which renewed the restrictive measures in place until 14 November 2021, including all designations. On the same day the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1696Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1696 of 12 November 2020 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 381, 13.11.2020, p. 8)., which amended the statement of reasons for 14 listed persons.(3)On 22 February 2021, in view of the continuing grave situation in Venezuela, the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/275Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/275 of 22 February 2021 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 60I, 22.2.2021, p. 1)., which designated 19 persons.(4)The Council has reviewed the restrictive measures in place in accordance with Article 17(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2063. Based on that review, the restrictive measures against all persons in the list set out therein should be maintained, and the statement of reasons for 26 persons should be updated.(5)These measures do not affect the general population and can be reversed in light of progress made towards the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Venezuela.(6)Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: