The EU Council has published a corrigendum to Council Regulation (EU) 2025/392, which amends the EU's restrictive measures against Belarus. The correction, dated 2 October 2026, reorders two provisions in the regulation concerning authorisations for transactions involving frozen funds, specifically swapping the order of grounds for 'extraordinary expenses' and 'diplomatic purposes' with those for 'management fees'. This technical adjustment does not alter the substance of the sanctions but ensures legal clarity and consistency in the text.
The corrigendum was issued by the Council as a legislative act, amending the foundational Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. The original regulation, adopted earlier in 2025, expanded sanctions to target sectors enabling Belarus's support for Russia's aggression. The corrigendum is purely procedural, correcting a textual ordering error without changing the scope or effect of the measures.
Policy Context
The sanctions against Belarus are part of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), aiming to pressure the Belarusian regime for its internal repression and complicity in Russia's war. The regulation lists specific grounds under which national authorities may authorise transactions involving frozen funds, such as for basic needs, legal fees, or diplomatic missions. The corrigendum swaps the order of two such grounds: 'extraordinary expenses' and 'diplomatic purposes' now appear before 'management fees', aligning with the intended hierarchy.
Impact on Stakeholders
- EU Member States: National competent authorities must apply the corrected order when processing authorisation requests, but the change is administrative and does not affect their obligations.
- Sanctioned Entities: Individuals and entities subject to asset freezes face no new restrictions; the corrigendum only clarifies the procedure for requesting fund releases.
- EU Businesses: Companies dealing with Belarusian entities may need to adjust compliance documentation to reflect the corrected text, but no operational changes are required.
- EU Institutions: The corrigendum demonstrates the Council's attention to legal precision, avoiding potential legal challenges from misordered provisions.
Next Steps
The corrigendum enters into force upon publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. No further institutional follow-up is expected, as the correction is final and does not require approval by the European Parliament or other bodies.