EU Council lifts travel ban on Transnistrian former leaders

The Council of the European Union has lifted a travel ban on the former political leadership of the Transnistrian region of Moldova, in an acknowledgment of progress in negotiations on the settlement of the conflict. “This acknowledges progress seen under the new leadership in negotiating certain aspects of a settlement of the Transnistrian conflict within the "5+2" framework”, the Council said in a press release. At the same time, the Council ensured that travel bans could be re-imposed on those blocking progress on the remaining problems regarding Latin-script Moldovan schools in Transnistria. The relevant provisions have not been lifted, but do no longer target specific persons. “The Council will continue to monitor and make periodic reviews of developments with respect to progress towards a political settlement, the freedom of movement of persons and the situation of Latin-script Moldovan schools”. Restrictive measures against the political leadership of the Transnistrian region were first imposed in 2003, when 17 persons responsible for the lack of cooperation to promote a political settlement of the conflict were no longer permitted to enter the EU. In 2004, a second group of persons was targeted with a travel ban: those responsible for the campaign of intimidation and closure against Latin-script Moldovan schools in Transnistria. All sanctions were suspended in September 2010 in order to encourage progress in reaching a political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. Most recently, eleven persons were targeted by the restrictive measures.