Brussels, 17/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU decided on Friday 17 February to suspend admission restrictions that relate to 87 Burmese nationals, including the president, the vice-presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament and their family members “given the remarkable programme of political reform undertaken by Burma/Myanmar”. The lifting of these visa restrictions is a “first step in the EU's response to developments in Burma/Myanmar”.
The decision gives legal effect to the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 23 January, at which ministers agreed to suspend certain visa restrictions as a first step.
“We have seen historic changes in Burma/Myanmar and we strongly encourage the authorities to continue this process”, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, pointing out that the EU has undertaken a full review of its policy towards Burma/Myanmar and of restrictive measures which are due to expire on 30 April 2012. Ashton said she hoped that, by April, when she will visit the country, “we will have had the chance to complete the review and to have made decisions at an EU level to respond to what I hope will be continued progress”. (CG/transl.rt)