Brussels, 05/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 5 March, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, announced that an EU-Burma task force would be organised in November this year, to support political and economic transition in the country (see EUROPE 10781).
Ashton was optimistic about the discussions regarding Burma at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April. She explained that, “without prejudging the decisions of member states, I am sure everyone will welcome changes taking place. If President U Thein Sein's Government continues on the course he has set in his policies, I believe he can look to the Council's discussion with confidence”. President U Thein Sein would like European sanctions against his country lifted but currently these have only been suspended (see EUROPE 10537).
Ashton also welcomed the signing by the EU and Burma of a joint statement of intent on areas of cooperation in the field of crisis response through sharing of experience and capacity building, “including through the support for the establishment of the Myanmar Crisis Response Centre”. (CG/transl.fl)