28.1.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L21/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 131/2004 of 26 January 2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Sudan THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Articles 60 and 301 thereof, Having regard to Council Common Position 2004/31/CESP of 9 January 2004 concerning the imposition of an embargo on arms, munitions and military equipment (*) on Sudan, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  In view of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, Common Position 2004/31/CFSP maintains the arms embargo imposed against that country by Council Decision 94/ 165/CFSP () and strengthens that embargo to include a ban on technical assistance and other services related to military activities, and on financial assistance related to military activities. (2)  Common Position 2004/31/CFSP also makes provision for humanitarian exemptions to the arms embargo, including sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment and materiel for mine clearance operations in Sudan. (3)  The embargoes on certain technical and financial assis- tance fall within the scope of the Treaty. Therefore, notably with a view to avoiding distortion of competi- tion, Community legislation is necessary to implement the embargoes as far as the territory of the Community is concerned. For the purpose of this Regulation, the territory of the Community is deemed to encompass the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in that Treaty. () In order to ensure that the measures provided for in this Regulation are effective, this Regulation should enter into force immediately, () OJ L 6, 10.1.2004, p. 55. () OJ L 75, 17.3.1994, p. 1. Decision repealed by Common Position 2004/31/CFSP. HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definition shall apply: ‘technical assistance’ means any technical support related to repairs, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, mainte- nance, or any other technical service, and may take forms such as instruction, advice, training, transmission of working knowl- edge or skills or consulting services. Technical assistance includes verbal forms of assistance. Atticle 2 It shall be prohibited: (a) to grant, sell, supply or transfer technical assistance related to military activities and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in Sudan; (b) to provide financing or financial assistance related to mili- tary activities, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, for any sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materiel, or for any grant, sale, supply, or transfer of related technical assistance, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in Sudan. Atticle 3 The participation, knowingly and intentionally, in activities the object or effect of which is, directly or indirectly, to promote the transactions referred to in Article 2 shall be prohibited.