Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Recognising the remarkable process of reform to which the new Burmese government is committed, the EU foreign affairs ministers adopted a strategic framework on Monday 22 July, which aims to support Burma's political, social and economic development for the next three years. The framework also aims to ensure respect for human rights and Burma's return to the international community. The parliamentary elections of 2015 are a critical deadline for the whole of the transition, the EU foreign affairs ministers note.
The EU foreign affairs ministers encourage the process of restoring peace and stability in the strongly ethnic regions, and call for political negotiations including all the representative parties of the population. The ministers stress the need to tackle intercommunity violence.
The EU also proposes setting up a bilateral dialogue on human rights, and it calls for Burma's institutions to be strengthened, for the implementation of an independent and impartial justice system, and for the involvement of civil society, so as to rebuild the rule of law and a functioning democracy - “the first task for the people of Myanmar”. The EU calls for the release of political prisoners and, indeed, on Tuesday 23 July 70 political prisoners were released.
Through its discussions with the Burmese government - discussions that are bilateral and multilateral - and also at the EU-ASEAN meetings, the EU wants to promote Burma's economic development, so as to reduce poverty in particular. The EU ministers want to set up a partnership - including the possibility for Burma to take full advantage of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) and the conclusion of an investment agreement. The EU-Myanmar taskforce, which aims to strengthen economic cooperation, will meet again in November. (LM/transl.fl)