24/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - EU suspends visa ban on foreign affairs minister. On 24 June, the EU Foreign Affairs Council decided to suspend the EU travel ban on the Belarusian minister for foreign affairs, Vladimir Makey, “in order to facilitate diplomatic contacts between the EU and Belarus”. Nevertheless, Makey will remain on the list of people subject to restrictive measures. “This decision does not reflect any change in the EU policy towards Belarus. The EU maintains its policy of critical engagement with Belarus, including its policy of sanctions”, say a Council press release. The EU foreign affairs ministers will decide in October, after the annual examination of sanctions against Minsk, if it is appropriate to extend this suspension. The measure will take effect on 25 June, on publication of the legal act in the Official Journal. (CG/transl.fl)