EU Extends Sanctions On Myanmar
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The European Union has extended its sanctions on Myanmar for one more year till 2010. Meeting at Luxembourg, foreign ministers of EU member states have signaled their willingness to engage the Yangon Junta in a discussion. The consultations are likely to take place on the sidelines of the next Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
In a statement, the EU's foreign ministers called for the release of political prisoners – most prominently, Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – and political liberalisation. They insisted on steps necessary to make the planned 2010 elections ‘a credible, transparent and inclusive process’ in line with international standards. The EU's ultimate goal in Myanmar is ‘a peaceful transition to democracy’.
EU sanctions have been in force for three years. These include a travel ban on regime figures, a freeze of their assets and an arms embargo. In 2007, after the violent suppression of popular protests led by Buddhist monks, export of timber, metals and gemstones also came under sanctions.
In a statement, the EU's foreign ministers called for the release of political prisoners – most prominently, Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – and political liberalisation. They insisted on steps necessary to make the planned 2010 elections ‘a credible, transparent and inclusive process’ in line with international standards. The EU's ultimate goal in Myanmar is ‘a peaceful transition to democracy’.
EU sanctions have been in force for three years. These include a travel ban on regime figures, a freeze of their assets and an arms embargo. In 2007, after the violent suppression of popular protests led by Buddhist monks, export of timber, metals and gemstones also came under sanctions.
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