Policy Research Group-geopolitical intelligence,military strategic forecasting, terrorism: EU Extends Sanctions On Myanmar

EU Extends Sanctions On Myanmar
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editor on 28 April, 2009 06:56:00
 
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.