In Regulation (EU) No 359/2011, the following Article is inserted:
‘Article 7a
1. The prohibition set out in Article 2(2) shall not apply to funds or economic resources made available by organisations and agencies which are pillar-assessed by the Union and with which the Union has signed a financial framework partnership agreement on the basis of which the organisations and agencies act as humanitarian partners of the Union, provided that the provision of such funds or economic resources is necessary for exclusively humanitarian purposes in Iran.
2. In cases not covered by paragraph 1 of this Article, and by way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 2, the competent authorities of a Member State may grant specific or general authorisations, under such general or specific conditions as they deem appropriate, to release certain frozen funds or economic resources or to make available certain funds or economic resources, provided that the provision of such funds or economic resources is necessary for exclusively humanitarian purposes in Iran.
3. In the absence of a negative decision, a request for information or a notification for additional time from the relevant competent authority within 5 working days of the date of receipt of a request for authorisation under paragraph 2, the authorisation shall be considered granted.
4. The Member State concerned shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorisations granted under paragraphs 2 or 3 within 2 weeks of such authorisation.’.