BRUSSELS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Council of the European Union (EU) imposed on Monday sanctions on nine persons and one entity under the new regime of restrictive measures against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons.

In this file photo taken on March 8, 2018 members of the emergency services in green biohazard encapsulated suits afix the tent over the bench where where Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found on March 4 in critical condition at The Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, southern England. (File photo: VCG)

The designations include the two GRU (also known as the G.U., or the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces) officials, and the Head and Deputy Head of the GRU responsible for possession, transport and use in Salisbury (UK) of a toxic nerve agent on the weekend of Mar. 4, 2018.

Sanctions are also imposed on the Syrian entity responsible for the development and production of chemical weapons, the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), as well as five Syrian officials directly involved in the SSRC's activities.

These persons and entity are the first listed under the new chemical weapons sanctions regime created on Oct. 15, 2018. The SSRC was already listed under the Syria sanctions regime.

Sanctions consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons and entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security.