Raad breidt visumverbod uit voor leden anti-democratische elite Ivoorkust (en)
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PRESSE 360
Cote d'Ivoire: Council extends visa ban list
The Council today adopted a decision1 extending travel restrictions against a further group of persons who are obstructing the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire and are jeopardising the proper outcome of the electoral process. This measure amends Decision 2010/656/CFSP, adopted 29 October 2010, which renewed existing restrictive measures against Côte d'Ivoire based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions. This Decision was already amended on 22 December.
At its meeting on 13 December, the Council agreed to impose restrictive measures on leading figures in Ivory Coast who refused to place themselves under the authority of the democratically elected president, Alassan Ouattara.
With the decision adopted on 22 December a visa ban was imposed on former president Laurent Gbagbo and 18 other individuals. Today's decision imposes the visa ban on further 59 individuals. The amended Decision will be published in the Official Journal in early 2011.
As stated by the European Council on 17 December, the EU stands ready to take targeted restrictive measures against those who would continue to obstruct the respect of the sovereign will expressed by the Ivorian people.
The decision was adopted via written procedure.