LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Monday enhanced restrictive measures against Syria, citing the intensifying violence in the country.

According to a conclusion adopted by the EU foreign ministers, the EU added 28 persons to the list of those subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. At the same time, two additional entities were targeted with a freeze of their assets in the EU.

The EU also took further steps in respect of arms, prohibiting the import into the EU of arms from Syria, or any EU involvement in the transport of Syrian arms.

It also banned the EU nationals and enterprises from supplying financial services to Syrian arms exports, including insurance and re-insurance. "No EU citizens or companies must be involved in Syrian military cooperation with third countries, which could benefit the Syrian regime," said the conclusion.

"The EU warns against further militarization of the conflict," said the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton following the adoption of the conclusion. "We call on all states to refrain from delivering arms to Syria and to follow the EU in stopping the supplies that fuel the fighting" she said.

The EU also denied all flights operated by Syrian Arab Airlines access to EU airports, which is also subject to an asset freeze, which it said"comes in addition to an existing ban on Syrian cargo flights."

This is the 19th round of EU sanctions against the Syrian regime since 2011 May. Monday's decisions bring the total number of targeted persons and entities to 181 individuals and 54 entities. Enditem

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