COUNCIL COMMON POSITION

2008/348/CFSP

of 29 April 2008

concerning restrictive measures against Uzbekistan

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 13 November 2007, the Council adopted Common Position 2007/734/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Uzbekistan(1). That Common Position renewed certain restrictive measures that were imposed by Common Position 2005/792/CFSP(2) in response to the excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Uzbek security forces during events in Andijan in May 2005. However, with a view to encouraging the Uzbek authorities to take positive steps to improve the human rights situation and taking into account the commitments of the Uzbek authorities, the restrictions on admission were suspended for a period of six months.

(2) Following a review of the situation in Uzbekistan, the Council considers it appropriate to extend the suspension of the restrictions on admission for a further period of six months,

HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

The application of the measures referred to in Article 3 of Common Position 2007/734/CFSP shall be suspended until 13 November 2008.

Article 2

This Common Position shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

Article 3

This Common Position shall be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

.

Done at Luxembourg, 29 April 2008.

For the Council

The President

D.

RUPEL

(1)  

OJ L 295, 14.11.2007, p. 34

.

(2)  

OJ L 299, 16.11.2005, p. 72

. Common Position as amended by Common Position 2007/338/CFSP (

OJ L 128, 16.5.2007, p. 50

).