Raad Buitenlandse Zaken versoepelt reisverbod Wit-Russische minister van Buitenlandse Zaken (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op maandag 24 juni 2013.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Luxembourg, 24 June 2013 (OR. en) PRESSE 279

Council eases diplomatic contacts between EU and Belarus

In order to facilitate diplomatic contacts between the EU and Belarus, the Council today suspended the EU travel ban on Vladimir Makey, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Makey will remain on the list of persons subject to EU restrictive measures, but the visa ban will not be applied to him

This decision does not reflect any change in the EUs policy towards Belarus. The EU maintains its policy of critical engagement with Belarus, including its policy of sanctions, with a view to furthering the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles in Belarus

The Council will revert to this issue at the next annual review of the EU restrictive measures against Belarus in October and decide whether to extend the suspension

The legal act adopted today will be published in tomorrow's edition of the EU Official Journal and will take effect then

For details on the EU's policy of critical engagement with Belarus and its restrictive measures, see Council conclusions of 15 October 2012 and factsheet European Union and Belarus.