By IANS,
Brussels : The European Parliament Thursday called on the European Union governments to consider more targeted sanctions against Myanmar, such as a complete ban on new investment and an embargo on trade in key commodities that provide significant revenue to the military government in Myanmar, reports EuAsiaNews.
The EP adopted a resolution in its plenary session in Strasbourg, France, urging the EU to campaign for a worldwide arms embargo on Myanmar.
The EU arms embargo on Myanmar is ineffective, as the military government purchases its military goods from China, Russia and India, says the resolution.
On current trade negotiations with Asean countries, the European lawmakers urged the grouping to put substantive pressure on Myanmarese authorities to bring about a democratic change.
They voiced support to the efforts of the EU’s special envoy on Myanmar, Piero Fassino, to promote dialogue with the Asean countries.
Myanmar’s military junta led by General Than Shwe intends to hold a referendum on a new constitution May 10.
The EP, however, deplores the fact that the constitutional referendum process is “devoid of any democratic legitimacy”.