Brussels, 6 April 2011 8712/11 PRESSE 95
The Council of the European Union adopted new legislation today to impose additional restrictive measures against Côte d'Ivoire, in view of the gravity of the situation there.
Under this legislation the EU has banned the purchase of bonds and securities from and the provision of loans to the illegitimate government of Laurent Gbagbo. It has also provided for exemptions to ensure that funds needed for humanitarian purposes are available.
In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1975, the EU had also added an additional individual to the list of persons who are subject to a visa ban and an assets freeze because they are deemed to be obstructing peace and reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire, obstructing the work of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and committing serious human rights violations.
The new Council decision and regulation were adopted by written procedure on 6 April and will be published in the Official Journal of the EU, on 7 April 2011.