§ Lord Shepherdasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the EU oil embargo against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia came into force. [HL2266]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)On 23 April, The Council of the EU adopted a Common Position (1999/273/CFSP) prohibiting the sale or supply of petroleum and petroleum products to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Following from this Common Position, the EC adopted a Regulation on 26 April. The regulation prohibits:
- (a) the sale, supply or export, directly or indirectly, of certain petroleum and petroleum products listed in an annex to the regulation, whether or not originating in the Community, to any person or body in the FRY or to any person or body for the purpose of any business carried on in, or operated from the territory of the FRY;
- (b) the shipping of such products to the territory of the FRY;
- (c) participation in related activities the object or the effect of which is to promote the transactions or activities referred to under (a).
The regulation includes exemptions, under certain conditions, for the sale, supply or export of petroleum and petroleum products for the use of diplomatic and consular missions of EU member states; for the use of a future international military presence; and for humanitarian purposes.
The regulation applies within the territory of the Community, including its air space and on board any aircraft or any vessel under the jurisdiction of a member state and to any person elsewhere who is a national of a member state and any body which is incorporated or constituted under the law of a member state.
The regulation will enter into force on 1 May and is directly applicable in the UK. Legislation introducing licensing and enforcement provisions, including penalties, will come into force the same day.