There have been recent splits within the EU over when to remove sanctions on
Burma following the actions of the military-backed government President
Thein Sein in moving towards democracy since November 2010.
Germany has urged a swift end to sanctions but Britain has previously been
keen to maintain leverage in the still army-dominated country.
However, in a press conference last week, Prime Minister David Cameron and
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged the suspension of all EU measures –
though not the scrapping of the sanctions.
Ms Suu Kyi’s endorsement of the suspension was seen as crucial.
The 12-month suspension period “gives us time to assess the sustainability of
reform”, a diplomat said. The ministers are expected to also agree to
include the possibility of reviewing the decision in six months.
Western nations eager to reward sweeping reforms that culminated in Ms Suu
Kyi’s election to parliament in April 1 by-elections, have already made some
reciprocal gestures to encourage Burma’s government.
Once in place, the suspension opens up what many investors see as the next big
frontier to European firms.
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