Brussels, 20/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 18 February, the Greek Presidency adopted the following declaration, to which the candidate countries and the EFTA countries rallied:
"The EU notes with serious concern that reports of restrictions on freedom of expression and political arrests and detentions in Burma/Myanmar have increased since the Presidency Declaration of 11 October 2002. The EU calls on the Burma/Myanmar authorities to respect their promises to release all political prisoners...