EU Statement on Countries Aligning with Terrorist List Update

EU Council Sanctions Press Releases

Published February 19th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The EU has issued a statement noting that several non-EU countries have aligned with a recent Council Decision updating the EU's terrorist list. This alignment means these countries will conform their national policies to the updated list of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures.

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What changed

The Council of the EU, through High Representative Josep Borrell, has issued a statement acknowledging the alignment of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Ukraine with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421. This decision, adopted on February 19, 2026, amended an existing decision to update the EU's list of persons, groups, and entities involved in terrorist acts and subject to restrictive measures. The statement confirms that these aligning countries will ensure their national policies conform to this updated list.

This action primarily serves as a notification and confirmation of existing international cooperation on counter-terrorism measures. For regulated entities, particularly those operating internationally or dealing with financial transactions, this reinforces the importance of adhering to the EU's consolidated list of sanctions and terrorist designations. While no new direct obligations are imposed on these external countries by this statement itself, their alignment signifies a commitment to applying similar restrictive measures, which compliance officers should be aware of when conducting due diligence and monitoring sanctions lists.

What to do next

Review updated EU terrorist list (Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421) and ensure internal systems reflect any changes.
Verify that due diligence processes account for the alignment of listed non-EU countries with the EU's counter-terrorism measures.

Source document (simplified)

Council of the EU
Statements and remarks
12 March 2026 17:02

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421 of 19 February 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/1577 updating the list of persons, groups and entities covered by Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism

On 19 February 2026, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/421 1.

That Decision added one entity to the list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts and subject to restrictive measures under Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism 2.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova (Republic of), Montenegro, North Macedonia and Ukraine align themselves with this Council Decision.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

1 OJ L, 2026/421, 19.02.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/421/oj

2 OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 93, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/compos/2001/931/oj