Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2228 of 14 November 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2228of 14 November 2022implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weaponsTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weaponsOJ L 259, 16.10.2018, p. 12., and in particular Article 12 thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2018/1542.(2)On 20 August 2020, Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader in Russia, was poisoned with a toxic military-grade nerve agent of the Novichok group, as confirmed by specialised laboratories in Germany, France and Sweden, as well as by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This poisoning constitutes a use of chemical weapons under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (the "Chemical Weapons Convention") and a serious breach of international law. The Union reiterates its strong concerns that the Russian Federation has not reacted to international calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the assassination attempt against Alexei Navalny.(3)The Union has strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons by Syria and its failure to respect its international obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, as substantiated through comprehensive and thorough investigations carried out by the United Nations and the OPCW. The Union has raised these concerns in various fora and urges Syria to return to full compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.(4)In that context, and in view of the continued threat posed by the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, ten persons and one entity should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1542.(5)Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: