By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : The European Union has decided to extend sanctions on the regime of Myanmar/Burma by one year but has exempted certain individuals of the regime.
“In current circumstances, the EU deems it necessary to renew the restrictive measures for a period of twelve months. In doing so, however, the EU reiterates its willingness to encourage and respond to improvements in governance and progress, in the hope that a greater civilian character of the Government will help in developing much needed new policies, ” said the EU foreign ministers in a statement after their meeting in Luxembourg Tuesday evening.
” The application of the visa ban and asset freeze will be suspended for certain civilian members of the Government, including the Foreign Minister as an essential interlocutor, for a period of one year, subject to continued review,” noted the statement.
The ban on high level visits to Myanmar will also be lifted, anticipating access to senior levels of the Government, and to key opposition figures.
The EU said it will assess the new government by its deeds, and will review the set of restrictive measures accordingly, it added.
The EU called for the launching of an inclusive dialogue with the political opposition inside the national Parliament and the regional Assemblies, and with stakeholders outside, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD, as well as with various ethnic groups.