01/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - During the awards ceremony of the 2005 Olaf Palme Prize, won by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in recognition of the peaceful struggle she unceasingly waged for democracy and human rights in Burma/Myanmar, the Austrian Presidency made a declaration that vigorously attacked the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi Kyi “remains deprived of her personal freedom which will prevent her from accepting the award in person”. The declaration also says, “The EU urges the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners immediately. The EU remains gravely concerned over the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar and wishes to reiterate its commitment to supporting national reconciliation and respect for human rights and democracy in Burma/Myanmar. The EU again calls upon the SPDC to enter into a genuine dialogue with the National League for Democracy and with ethnic representatives. The EU remains strongly committed to addressing the needs of the poorest in Burma/Myanmar, in particular in the areas of health, education and community development”.