Thursday, 09 February 2012 16:24 Mizzima News
“There is a lot of opening and a very promising dynamic in Myanmar, even if it is still fragile,” Andris Piebalgs told the media prior to his departure to Burma on Saturday.
Earlier, noting the recent democratic reforms underway in Burma, EU officials said the alliance would provide 150 million euros (almost US$ 200 million) in additional aid to Burma during the next two years.
“The new situation allows us to beef up the support,” Piebalgs was quoted as saying by Agence France Press, adding that the aid is channeled through nongovernment organizations and the United Nations.
Piebalgs said the April 1 by-elections will be crucial for the credibility of the democratic reforms. In response to the January release of a large number of political prisoners, the EU lifted some travel bans against Burmese leaders, and the alliance will consider lifting various economic sanctions after the by-election.
“We have removed part of the restrictive measures, but the country is still in transition, the political situation is still delicate,” he told AFP.
Piebalgs said he would discuss with Burmese officials how best to use the EU monetary aid, saying that some of the money could be used for microcredits while larger sums might go to health and education
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is expected to visit Burma in the near future.
Piebalgs will be the first EU Commissioner to meet the country's President Thein Sein and will also hold talks with senior government ministers and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the European Commission said on Thursday. The commissioner will travel to Naypyitaw and Rangoon to hold a series of meetings, as well as visiting an EU-funded health clinic.
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