The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Friday 30 April that the EU is ready to assist in the establishment of a constructive dialogue in Myanmar in order to bring the country back to democracy.
“The European Union stands ready to support ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], its Chair, its Secretary General, and the Special Envoy in facilitating a constructive dialogue with all key stakeholders with a view to bringing Myanmar back to its democratic path”, the High Representative said in a statement on behalf of the EU.
Mr Borrell said the ASEAN five-point consensus (see EUROPE 12706/18) was “a positive and important first step” in initiating a process of healing and a return to democratic transition in Myanmar and that it needed to be implemented quickly and faithfully. He also recalled the EU’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy.
Expressing its solidarity with all those who advocate and work “towards an inclusive democracy and the respect of Human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the EU welcomed in this context the efforts of the Committee representing the Union Assembly, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH); the National Unity Government; and other pro-democracy forces working towards a peaceful resolution of the current crisis. “Their voices represent the democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar and they must be key stakeholders in any genuine and inclusive political dialogue”, Mr Borrell added.
The High Representative also reiterated his call on the military junta to immediately cease all acts of violence, to exercise maximum restraint and respect for international law and human rights, to return power to the elected civilian government and to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained in connection with the coup. More than 750 people are reported to have been killed by the armed forces since the 1 February coup.
As tensions between the army and armed ethnic groups have escalated in recent weeks, the EU has called for the immediate and effective implementation of the ceasefire and to avoid further escalation.
The EU also announced that it would continue to provide humanitarian assistance and that it was ready to cooperate with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in this regard. All refugees, displaced persons, and people in need must have rapid, safe, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid, said Mr Borrell. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)