Brussels, 19/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 April, EU foreign affairs ministers are expected to lift sanctions against Burma/Myanmar - sanctions that were suspended a year earlier on 24 April 2012 in recognition of continued reforms. The lifting of sanctions concerns trade and investment restrictions applied to over 800 businesses, on investment applied to 52 businesses controlled by the junta, the assets freeze and visa ban on 491 people, and the assets freeze on 59 businesses and organisations (see EUROPE 10600). The embargo on weapons and equipment that could be used for the purposes of internal repression remains in force and could be extended for a year. The foreign affairs ministers will also discuss how the EU can better support Burma/Myanmar's reforms and democratisation in the run-up to the general elections in 2015, and the ministers are due to adopt conclusions.
Relaxing economic sanctions against Syria. As announced (see EUROPE 10830), the foreign affairs ministers are also due to adopt legislation to relax the sanctions against Syria, “including the embargo on oil”, in order to help the civil population and support the opposition. In response to criticism that, without air protection, the relaxation of the oil embargo will not be very useful, a European source has underlined that this decision “marks political support”. “It is not because we have taken the decision that everything will be settled”, the source added. Another source said that, if the lifting of these sanctions works, it could be extended to other products. “Lifting sanctions on oil is a trial. If it works, we could perhaps go further. This has a pragmatic nature”, the source stated.
In connection with Syria, the Council will discuss the latest developments in Lebanon - both with regard to the influx of Syrian refugees and also ahead of the elections in June and after the change of prime minister.
Iraq, Korea and the Eastern Partnership programme. The Council is also due to adopt conclusions on Iraq to express its support to the country and its concern about the violence and deterioration of human rights. Local elections are taking place in Iraq on 20-21 April. The Council is also due to adopt the transposition of the latest sanctions taken by the UN Security Council against North Korea, and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is due to give an update on the contacts she is dealing with on this subject.
The EU foreign affairs ministers will discuss countries of the Eastern Partnership - as part of the preparation for the ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership in July and for the Eastern Partnership summit at the end of November 2013.
Ashton will also report on her trip to Egypt on 7 April and the E3+3 negotiations with Iran.
Over lunch, the ministers will speak to European Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger - particularly on the subject of the southern gas corridor and geopolitical considerations linked to the development of forms of energy supply in the world. They will also discuss the way in which EU foreign policy can better support the external dimensions of energy policy. These discussions take place ahead of the European Council on 22 May, during which energy issues will be tackled. (CG/transl.fl)