06/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Turkey, Western Balkans, Liechtenstein and Norway temporarily suspend restrictive measures against Transnistria. Four applicant countries for EU membership (Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro), three countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia), two members of the European Free Trade Area (Norway and Liechtenstein), the members of the European Economic Area and the Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan and Georgia have decided to align themselves with the EU decision on restrictive measures against the breakaway region of Transnistria adopted on 21 March (see EUROPE 10342). This decision extends the ban on travel to the EU by Transnistrian leaders by one year, until 31 March 2012. However, in order to encourage progress in the political resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, the decision has been suspended for six months, until 30 September 2011. The EU “takes note” and “welcomes” this commitment, says a statement from the High Representative published on Monday 4 April. (A.By./transl.rt)