President Myanmar verzekert EP democratische hervormingen door te voeren (en)

Myanmar would "continue tirelessly on the path to peace," President U Thein Sein assured foreign affairs and development MEPs on Tuesday. His government was "absolutely committed to a politically negotiated solution" to end the country's internal divisions, he stressed. MEPs pressed Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin, also at the meeting, to ensure that democratic reforms were irreversible.

"I am grateful that the EU sanctions against Myanmar have been suspended," President U Thein Sein said during his first ever visit to the European Parliament. However, he appealed for them to be lifted completely, in order to strengthen investors' confidence. The EU suspended sanctions in April last year in response to the start of reforms.

Kachin State and Rohingya minority

Michèle Striffler i (EPP, FR), echoed by other MEPs, said the humanitarian situation in the Kachin and Rakhin states was still "extremely preoccupying" for Parliament. "The fundamental sources of the armed conflicts must be addressed," she insisted.

Foreign minister U Wunna Maung Lwin said the government would build a peaceful future with all the 100 ethnic communities, including the Rohingya minority, which has been deprived of citizenship since 1982.

Release political prisoners, stop forced labour

"We hope all the political prisoners will be released," said Barbara Lochbihler i (Greens/EFA, DE), chair of Parliament's human rights subcommittee. She asked for a stronger human rights dimension in the reforms to address continuing human rights violations and said a delegation of MEPs would be visiting the country in April.

The government's pledge to eradicate forced labour by 2015 needs to be properly implemented, MEPs insisted. They also asked for more support for the emergence of an active civil society.

Improve scrutiny over the government

"I was shocked to see that members of Myanmar's parliament do not have any power of scrutiny," Ana Gomes i (S&D, PT) said, suggesting that the minister should learn from other countries in the region which have carried out their democratic transition successfully.

In the chair: Elmar Brok (EPP, DE)