28/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Further easing of sanctions is imminent. On Monday 27 February, the Council of the EU was to decide to ease sanctions targeting a number of individuals in Côte d'Ivoire (see EUROPE 10561), but in the end it deferred adoption of this decision for procedural reasons, as a parliamentary reserve has still to be lifted. This imminent decision will authorise lifting of the assets freeze and a visa ban on all persons concerned. A further 15 people (8 designated by the United Nations and 7 designated autonomously by the EU) will come under restrictions due to the role that they played in obstructing the peace process and national reconciliation. The other EU restrictive measures against the Côte d'Ivoire, which include an arms embargo, will remain in application. (AN/transl.jl)