Brussels, 23/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers decided on Monday 23 January to begin to lift sanctions against Burma/Myanmar, to encourage it in its reforms.
Ministers agreed that, “as a first step”, the visa ban on President U Thein Sein, the vice- presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament should be suspended and gave mandates to working groups “to consider further steps”. “A further review of the Council's Decision imposing restrictive measures is ongoing”, said the ministers. The Council promised that if the by-elections of 1 April pass of well, this will pave the way for further easing or the lifting of sanctions by the end of April.
Ministers also hailed the “remarkable programme of political reform undertaken by the government and parliament”, the release of many prisoners, efforts to achieve peace with the various ethnic groups and the dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. They said that the EU wants to help Burma/Myanmar in its reforms and called on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) progressively to engage in supporting the country.
Ahead of the Council meeting, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said he was “certain that a democratisation process is taking place”. High Representative Catherine Ashton also welcomed the extraordinary changes that have taken place in Burma/Myanmar over the last few weeks and months, and noted a real feeling of transition in the country. She announced that, working closely with Aung San Suu Kyi, she will visit Burma/Myanmar “probably in April, after the elections”. (CG/transl.rt)