Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures against Belarus
On 23 February 2018, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/280[1] amending Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP.
The Council Decision prolongs the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2019. These measures include an arms embargo, ban on the export of goods for internal repression and an asset freeze and travel ban against four people.
The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this Decision.
They will ensure that their national policies conform to these Council Decisions.
The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.
[1] Published on 24.2.2018 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 54, p. 16.
*The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.