The Council reinforced once more EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime, in view of the gravity of the situation in Syria. On the other hand, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on the EU nations to invest more in security in a meeting celebrated by the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament.

The Council decided to adopt restrictive measures on the export to Syria of additional equipment, goods and technology that can be used for internal repression or for making and maintaining such products. It also agreed to ban the sales of luxury goods from the EU to Syria. The decision to strengthen the measure against Syrian regime was taken in view of the gravity of the situation in this country. The restrictive measures were also strengthened in February 2012.

In addition, the Foreign Affairs Committee celebrated a meeting on 23 of April which counted with the attendance of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Mr Rasmussen highlighted that in his opinion, the EU nations are not investing enough in security. With regard to the situation in Syria, he underlined that NATO have no intention to intervene in Syria. Mr Rasmussen pointed out that NATO has no UN mandate to do so, and added that trying to find a regional solution is a right way to move forward.

Moreover, concerning training in Afghanistan, Mr Rasmussen confirmed that the training mission carried out by NATO should continue after year 2014. The Special Representative and Head of the EU delegation to Afghanistan Vygaudas Ušackas also highlighted that Afghanistan depends heavily on the EU support, noting that improving the rights of citizens and carrying out electoral reform are EU priorities, and adding that the EU had already played an important role in areas such as education and security.