Brussels, 22/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 21 March decided to extend sanctions against the leaders of Transnistria for a further period of 12 months, until 31 March 2012. However, to encourage progress on a political settlement to the Transnistrian conflict, the EU suspended the sanctions for six months, until 30 September 2011. The decision will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU. (H.B./transl.rt)