Brussels, 19/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The foreign affairs ministers confirmed, on Monday 19 November, the Council joint position introducing new restrictive measures against Burma. This joint position will implement the political agreement reached in October (EUROPE 9524), which, alongside the list of people subject to visa restrictions and freezing of assets, envisages: - a ban on exports of equipment for the logging and timber sectors and for the mining of metals, minerals and precious and semi-precious stones; - a ban on imports of products from these sectors; - a ban on investments in these sectors.
In conclusions adopted without discussion on the same day, the Council maintains the pressure on the military junta, recalling that its competent bodies are continuing to work on new restrictive measures. It also reiterates its concern at the situation in Burma and “reiterates its call on the government to take substantive steps to address the concerns of its people and the international community”. On the eve of the EU-ASEAN summit, where the member states intend to debate the situation in Burma with their Asian partners, the Council welcomes the “efforts by ASEAN and the neighbours of Burma/Myanmar to influence the Burmese authorities” and encourages its partners in ASEAN and the region to “maintain the pressure for a credible and inclusive process of national reconciliation”. It also demanded the lifting of all the restrictions placed on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to enable her to participate fully in this process. Supporting the efforts of the UN secretary general's special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, the EU also welcomes the nomination of Piero Fassino as EU special envoy to Burma charged with supporting the UN's mission there. (A.B)