Brussels, 26/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 January a European diplomat explained that the European Union is planning on raising €150 million to help Burma. This aid will target health, education, agriculture and support for institutional reform, this same source added.
This support is part of the measures being examined by the European Union to re-establish relations with Burma, where the government has launched many political reforms which were welcomed on Monday 23 January by European affairs ministers as “remarkable” (see EUROPE 10537). During the Council, ministers withdrew visa bans on several government members. Ministers were also keen to point out that the new progress would lead to greater flexibility towards restrictive measures or their removal.
The EU high representative is due to make a visit to Burma in April and an EU representation office will soon be opening in Rangoon. (CG/transl.fl)