Brussels, 02/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - It is possible that next April the EU lifts its political sanctions against Burma/Myanmar.
After having lifted its visa bans in compensation for substantial reforms undertaken over the past year, the EU may lift its political sanctions targeting individuals in Burma/Myanmar. On the eve of the partial elections of 1 April (see other article), Karel De Gucht announced on the fringes of the ASEAN ministerial meeting on 31 March in Phnom Pen that “if the elections are free and fair, I will consider that Burma has a good case and that the Foreign Affairs Council should really think about making an important gesture”. The lifting of political sanctions could take place from immediate effect, at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 April. The commissioner for trade explained that the lifting of economic sanctions - the reintroduction of trade preferences as part of the “Everything but Arms” scheme - Is more complicated because it is linked to an ongoing ILO report on the workforce in Burma. (EH/transl.fl)