Brussels, 05/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 5 March, EU representatives and the president of Burma/Myanmar, U Thein Sein, spoke of their resolve to step up their cooperation, saying that Myanmar needs support from the international community in order to meet the challenges it faces. “The EU and Myanmar are turning a page in their relationship. We want to increase our collaboration with the government and people of Myanmar - more dialogue, more and better aid, more trade and investment and more people to people contacts”, said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, sharing the same opinion as European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. European Parliament President Martin Schulz wanted deeper cooperation between his institution and the Burmese parliament.
Barroso and Van Rompuy announced the EU's decision to study the feasibility of a bilateral investment agreement. They reiterated that the European Commission has proposed to re-establish the system of generalised preferences in Myanmar. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani will also visit Myanmar in 2013 “with further concrete support to the economic and political modernisation of the country”, Barroso added - without giving further detail, although this could take the form of a taskforce (see EUROPE 10781). The EU will also work with the electoral commission in Myanmar on the 2015 elections.
U Thein Sein stated that Myanmar wants to develop its cooperation with other countries, “but we don't want to become a country dependent on the international community. We are a rich country with natural resources.” Myanmar, still one of the poorest countries in the world, wants to revive. It has therefore implemented a new law for foreign investment. U Thein Sein wants European sanctions to be not only suspended but lifted (see EUROPE 10537).
Recalling the sustained pace of reforms in Myanmar, the European presidents stressed the importance of continuing progress ahead of the 2015 elections and on the general improvement of fundamental freedoms. They emphasised minority rights, the humanitarian situation in the Kachin and Rakhine states, and national reconciliation. In Schulz's view, the Burmese presidency of ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) in 2014 and the elections in 2015 will be two great opportunities for Myanmar to show that its commitment to a deep democracy is credible. (CG/transl.fl)