In the light of recent developments in Burma/Myanmar, the European Parliament 's international trade committee has decided to postpone its visit to the country indefinitely.
"It was clear that the current political and human rights' situation in the country, as outlined in the European Parliament's resolution adopted on Thursday 14 September, does not allow for a fruitful discussion on a potential EU-Myanmar investment agreement. It is clear that under these conditions, the ratification of an investment agreement with Myanmar is not possible", Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), the chair of the Parliament's international trade committee, stated.
In a resolution adopted in plenary on Thursday 14 September, the Parliament calls on the "military and security forces in Myanmar to immediately cease the killings, harassment and rape of the Rohingya people, and the burning of their homes". The Myanmar government, and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in particular, "should condemn unequivocally all incitement to racial or religious hatred and combat social discrimination and hostilities against the Rohingya minority", the resolution states.
The EU and Burma/Myanmar have been involved in negotiations since 2015 for a bilateral agreement on investment, the objective of which is to protect both sides' investments, ensure them equal treatment, protection against discrimination and uncompensated expropriation, and to guarantee the transfer of capital. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)