EU development commissioner mulls lifting sanctions on Myanmar

Feb 13, 2012, 11:28 GMT

Naypyitaw, Myanmar - The European Union's development commissioner on Monday confirmed a 150-million-euro aid package to Myanmar and discussed the possibility of lifting sanctions on the former pariah state if reforms continue.

Andris Piebalgs met with President Thein Sein and House Speaker Shwe Mann, who assured him of the government's commitment to reforms.

Piebalgs confirmed the EU's pledge of the aid package over the next three years.

Shwe Mann told Piebalgs that more political prisoners may be freed. The release of all political prisoners is one condition for normalizing relations with the West.

An April 1 by-election for parliament must also be free and fair, Piebalgs said.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy are contesting the by-election.

Piebalgs was scheduled to meet Suu Kyi on Tuesday in Yangon.

The EU envoy's visit was a response to several reforms that Thein Sein has initiated since coming to power in March.

The former army general and member of the junta that ruled Myanmar for two decades has taken a progressive tack since winning the November 2010 election.

He began political dialogue with Suu Kyi and has paved the way for her party members to stand for parliament seats.

The government has also freed about 600 political prisoners, although hundreds more remain, and signed ceasefires with six ethnic minority insurgencies.

EU foreign ministers last month decided to lift visa bans on Myanmar's leaders, but sanctions remain on dozens of members of the former military regime.

The EU also bans investments in state-owned enterprises and has embargoes against arm exports to the country, as well as imports of hardwood, gems and precious metal.

The bloc is also planning to open an office in Yangon, where currently only the four biggest EU members - Germany, France, Britain and Italy - have embassies.

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