THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2011/72/CFSP of 31 January 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Tunisia [OJ L 28, 2.2.2011, p. 62.],

Having regard to the joint proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Decision 2011/72/CFSP provides for the freezing of funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by certain persons responsible for the misappropriation of Tunisian State funds, and persons associated with them, who are thus depriving the Tunisian people of the benefits of the sustainable development of their economy and society and undermining the development of democracy in the country. Those natural or legal persons, entities and bodies are listed in the Annex to the Decision.

(2) Those measures fall within the scope of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and regulatory action at the level of the Union is therefore necessary in order to implement them, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application by economic operators in all Member States.