Brussels, 19/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is to suspend its sanctions against Burma/Myanmar, including its restrictive measures imposed on more than 800 companies, for a period of one year but will keep in place its embargo on the sale of arms or material that could be used for repressive purposes, AFP reports on Thursday 19 April, quoting European sources. Another source said that it had been agreed to re-assess sanctions in six months, after member states hesitated over whether to suspend measures for six or 12 months. The decision will be formally adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 23 April.
EU sanctions against Burma/Myanmar are due to expire at the end of April. The measures include travel bans and freezing the assets of 491 people (already partially lifted). Fift-nine organisations have also had their assets frozen. Trade and investment restrictions have been imposed on 800 companies, operating mainly in forestry, mining and precious stones. (CG/transl.rt)