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Burma/Myanmar, 27 April 2012 - Catherine
Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, will travel to Burma/Myanmar from 28 to 30 April.
She will inaugurate the Office of the European Union to Burma/Myanmar in Yangon on 28 April and hold meetings with President U Thein Sein as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
"The European Union welcomes the
remarkable changes in Burma/Myanmar and has decided to open a new
chapter in our relations. We have suspended the sanctions with the
exception of the arms embargo. Of course reforms need to continue - we
need to see further progress, in particular the unconditional release of
all political prisoners and efforts to end ethnic conflicts. We are
ready to assist with these efforts as well as with economic and social
development. We will continue to support the democratic transition,
including through electoral assistance, and encourage trade and investment in the country.
These
are the messages I will pass on to both the representatives of the
government and the opposition, including the President and Aung Sun Suu
Kyi. While in Burma/Myanmar, I will also open the EU office, which will
help us support Burma/Myanmar on its path to full democracy," said
Catherine Ashton ahead of the visit.
During
her visit to the country, the High Representative will also meet with
the Ministers for Foreign Affairs (U Wunna Maung Lwin); Industry (U Soe
Thein); Border Affairs (Major General Thein Htay); and Railways (U Aung
Min), the Speaker of the Lower House (Thura Shwe Mann) and the
Secretary General of the USDP (U Htay Oo). She will also meet the
Generation 88 students and representatives of civil society and visit
the headquarters of the National League of Democracy (NLD).
Background
The
visit of the High Representative marks a new beginning in the bilateral
relations between the European Union and Myanmar. On 23 April 2012, the
Council of the European Union suspended restrictive measures imposed on
the Government (with the exception of the arms embargo), as a means to
welcome and encourage the on-going reform process. The Council will
monitor closely the situation on the ground, keep its measures under
constant review and respond positively to progress on on-going reforms.
The EU wants to enter into an active collaboration with Burma/Myanmar as
a whole, with a view to assisting the reform process and contributing
to economic, political and social development.
More information:
Foreign Affairs Council of 23 April: CONSILIUM - Highlights
Media advisory:
Europe
by Satellite (EBS) will provide audio-visual coverage of the visit.
There will be photo-opportunities at the beginning of various meetings
and several press points. Media can also obtain access to the opening of
the EU Office in Yangon, but prior registration (via the EU Delegation
in Bangkok) is necessary due to the limited space.
Saturday 28 April
HR/VP
Catherine Ashton will visit the headquarters of the National League for
Democracy (NLD) in Yangon and then meet with Ms Aung San Suu Kyi. She
will also be meeting with the Myanmar Civil Society and Generation 88.
She will open the new EU Office in Yangon.
Sunday 29 April
HR/VP
Catherine Ashton will travel to Nay Pyi Taw where she will meet the
Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, Mr U Wunna Maung Lwin, as well as the
Ministers for Industry (U Soe Thein), Border Affairs (Major General
Thein Htay) and Railways (U Aung Min).
Monday 30 April
On
30 April, HR/VP Catherine Ashton will meet, in Nay Pyi Taw, with the
President of Burma, Mr U Thein Sein, followed by a meeting with the
Lower House Speaker, Mr Thura Shwe Mann, and the Secretary General of
Union Solidarity and DevelopmentParty (USDP), Mr U Htay Oo. She will
then return to Yangon where she will conclude the visit with a press
conference.
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