Brussels, 02/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 28 April, the EU Council adopted a new common position, extending restrictive measures against Burma. The sanctions relate to visas and the freezing of the assets of members of the military regime, security forces and individuals or groups associated with them and deriving benefit from the policies preventing democratic transition. Initially set up in 1996, the sanctions have been gradually ratcheted up and the current political situation does not allow the sanctions established by the last common position adopted in April 2005 to be reconsidered. The granting of financial loans or investment in Burmese state companies remain banned too. The Council noted the failure of the military authorities to establish substantive discussions with democratic forces on a national reconciliation process and the implementation of an open national convention. The continued detention of National League for Democracy (NLD) members, human rights violations and restrictions imposed on several international organisations and NGOs do not allow sanctions to be lifted.