Sanctions against Iraq
These restrictions primarily concern trade in Iraqi cultural items that were illegally removed from Iraq after 1990. The basis of this provision is paragraph 7 of UN Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003). The prohibition is regulated by Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003 (Article 3).
Goods that are subject to the prohibition are listed in Annex II of the regulation. The European Commission has been authorised to make changes to the list. Exceptions can be made from the prohibition against importing and exporting Iraqi cultural items so as to allow their return to Iraqi cultural institutions. Under the Security Council resolution, UNESCO and INTERPOL are to assist in implementing these provisions.
In addition, Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003) contains a provision stating that proceeds from the sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas exported from Iraq are to be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (paragraph 20). The Fund is administered by the Central Bank of Iraq and use of its assets is determined by the government of Iraq. This special arrangement is described in Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003 (Article 2 and Annex I). The UN Security Council has successively extended this arrangement, most recently by means of Resolution 1905 (2009), which applies until 31 December 2010. The EU has decided on corresponding extensions.
The Government takes decisions on any exceptions from these provisions.
