EU Regulation 2022/355/EU makes radical amendments to Regulation 765/2006/EC and expands the scope of the sanctions to implement the conclusions of the European Council of 24 February 2022 following the involvement of Belarus in the unacceptable and illegal Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which under international law qualifies as an act of aggression. The changes –
- introduce further restrictions related to the trade of goods used for the production or manufacturing of tobacco products, mineral products, potassium chloride (“potash”) products, wood products, cement products, iron and steel products and rubber products;
- prohibit the export to Belarus or for use in Belarus of dual-use goods and technology, exports of goods and technology which might contribute to Belarus’s military, technological, defence and security development, and exports of machinery;
- amends certain provisions related to the execution of contracts concluded before 25 June 2021 and the provision of financing, as well as financial and technical assistance, in relation to prohibited goods.
It even changes the title of the 2006 Regulation accordingly.
2 corrigenda make corrections to the underling EU Council Decision.