Brussels, 17/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 16 December, EU foreign affairs ministers called on the Burmese government to continue the constitutional and electoral reforms. “The Council encourages an inclusive review process to bring the constitution in line with the requirements of a modern democracy to help achieve lasting peace and national reconciliation”, the ministers state in their conclusions, saying that the constitution should enable “the conduct of credible, transparent and inclusive general and presidential elections in 2015, allowing all candidates to fairly contest the elections”.
The ministers also call on the Burmese government to address the underlying causes of the inter-communal violence and to guarantee the respect of human rights and the rule of law, including by addressing the situation of the Rohingya. The Council calls on all the leaders to take a zero tolerance approach to violent extremism and encourages initiatives on religious and ethnic tolerance. The EU also calls on the government to facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations in Rakhine State and in Kachin State, and to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to the displaced population and all those affected by the conflict and violence.
In addition, the EU welcomes the progress in the national reconciliation process and looks forward to the conclusion of a nationwide ceasefire agreement. The EU is ready to support an inclusive political dialogue which should lead to a lasting peace agreement, the ministers add, stating that the process must involve all stakeholders. The Council welcomes the release of political prisoners and expects all prisoners of conscience to be released “unconditionally” by the end of 2013. It underlines the need to put an end to all arbitrary arrests.
The ministers also reiterated the EU's strong commitment and continuous support to the democratic and economic transition in Burma/Myanmar and welcomed the launch of the task force and its results. (CG/transl.fl)