European Union foreign ministers have met in Luxembourg to discuss a wide range of issues including the situation in Ukraine. During a news briefing at the meeting, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton said the EU had deep concerns about the situation in Ukraine and that it had adopted several concrete decisions including the implementation of the non-recognition policy towards Crimea.

European Union foreign ministers also agreed on Monday to impose an asset freeze and travel ban on 12 Syrian government ministers, accusing them of being responsible for serious human rights violations. The EU said in a statement that the ministers’ names will only be published in the EU’s Official Journal on Tuesday when the sanctions take effect.

The decision brings the number of people targeted by EU sanctions over Syria to 191. Fifty-three companies and other organisations, including the central bank of Syria, remain under an EU asset freeze.