Brussels, 08/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Andris Pieblags, Commissioner for European Development, will be in Burma on 12-14 February and will become the first member of the European Commission to meet President Thein Sein. This will give Piebalgs the opportunity to take the measure, on the ground, of the vast programme of reforms launched by the civil government which took over from the military junta in March last year, encourage the continuation of these reforms and announce new funding.
The commissioner will be keeping the promise made by the EU to support these reforms, to encourage the country in its transition and efforts to fight poverty. As well as the president and members of the government, Piebalgs will also meet Aung San Suu Kyi, the emblem of the fight against oppression, who was released at the end of 2010 and will stand in April's partial elections. (AN/transl.fl)