Europe has
decided to follow the lead of the UN, which recently hit Pyongyang with its
toughest restrictions yet. The reclusive nation refuses to adhere to a Security
Council ban on its missile program.
The
European Union adopted new restrictions against North Korea on Friday. The move
came in protest to missile tests carried out by Pyongyang that flouted UN
resolutions forbidding development of the country's nuclear program.
The new
sanctions include a ban on importing any petroleum or luxury products from
North Korea and prohibit selling anything to the regime that could be used for
military purposes. Additionally, no aircraft or ships coming from North Korea
are allowed to enter, use or fly over EU territory.
A further
tightening of restrictions on investments in North Korea and a ban on money
transfers were also part of the new raft of sanctions.
"The
EU decided to further expand its restrictive measures targeting the DPRK's
nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs," said
an EU statement, referring to the country's official name, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
The
28-member bloc was following the UN's lead. The UN Security Council imposed its
toughest sanctions yet on Pyongyang in March. The UN move was also a response
to continued nuclear and ballistic missile testing.
Diplomatic
relations between Europe and North Korea were nominally established in 2001 but
remain minimal. The bloc first imposed sanctions against the isolated country
in 2006.
Earlier on
Friday, Pyongyang startled the international community when it threatened to
retaliate after South Korea fired what it said were warning shots on two
vessels from the North. Seoul said that a patrol vote and fishing boat had
crossed the disputed maritime border between the two countries.
es/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)
es/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)
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