Brussels / Bangkok, 13/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union hopes to send a new fact-finding mission to Burma this autumn. "We should like a second visit by the Troika (Ed.: after that in January), under our Presidency", said the Belgian Ambassador to Thailand, Pierre Vaesen, on Thursday. "We really want political dialogue to continue", he added, considering it "essential that sound guarantees be given by the government to the opposition parties". Mr Vaesen, who was speaking on behalf of the Belgian EU Council Presidency, confirmed that the liberation of political prisoners, as well as the freedom of movement and action of political parties, are "preconditions" for lifting the sanctions that the Europeans have imposed since 1996 on members of the Burmese junta.