(1)

On 10 April 2006, the Council adopted Common Position 2006/276/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against certain officials of Belarus (1).

(2)

Council Common Position 2008/844/CFSP of 10 November 2008 amending Common Position 2006/276/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against certain officials of Belarus (2) extended the restrictive measures provided for by Common Position 2006/276/CFSP until 13 October 2009. However, the travel restrictions imposed on certain leading figures in Belarus, with the exception of those involved in the disappearances which occurred in 1999 and 2000 and of the President of the Central Electoral Commission, were suspended until 13 April 2009.

(3)

In order to encourage the adoption and implementation of further concrete measures towards democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus, the Council agreed on 16 March 2009 that, whilst the restrictive measures provided for by Common Position 2006/276/CFSP would be extended for one year from that date, the suspension of the application of the travel restrictions imposed on certain officials of Belarus would be maintained for a period of nine months. Before the end of that period, the Council will conduct an in-depth review of the restrictive measures taking into account the situation in Belarus, and provided that there are further positive developments, it will be ready to consider the possibility of lifting the restrictive measures. At any time, the Council may decide to re-apply the travel restrictions if necessary, in the light of the actions of the Belarusian authorities in the sphere of democracy and human rights.

(4)

Common Position 2006/276/CFSP should therefore be amended and Common Position 2008/844/CFSP repealed,