Burma
is likely to come up within a year a comprehensive plan charting its political
and economic reforms, a move that is seen boosting the confidence of the
international community, a ranking European Union official said Tuesday.
Andris Piebalgs, EU commissioner for
development, said the situation continues to evolve in Burma and a free and
credible by-elections in April would be very crucial in sustaining the
optimistic response so far to the government policy of opening up its economy
and improving its political environment.
"I believe the political issues, the
by-elections and the peace process are very crucial because you need political
conviction (to pave the way) for a comprehensive plan.
And I believe that during the year, the
government will be able to prepare some type of plan and if the political
conditions will be right, I believe that donors could go through this
development plan sooner than later," Piebalgs told a press briefing.
"The government should be encouraged to
continue with the reforms that are necessary for rule of law, for
democratisation. But it is is an ongoing process that gives a lot of
optimism," he added.
Piebalgs concluded a three-day visit to
Rangoon and Naypyitaw on Tuesday night and made a stopover in Bangkok en route
to Brussels.
During his visit, Piebalgs met with Burmese
President Thein Sein and de facto opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
He discussed with them awide range of issues
including the peace agreement with ethnic groups, a new EU development
assistance package amounting to 150 million euros for the next two years and
the April by-elections.
"As the situation continues to evolve, I
hope we would be more engaged," he said.
"We are very much looking forward to
developments. We believe there is a lot to be done to alleviate poverty and
also to change the country but it requires that reforms the President (Thein
Sein) has embarked on be continued," Piebalgs said.
He noted that it will take time for reforms to
be fully in place but that Burma is going "very clearly in one
direction", adding that he hopes this will continue.
The EU is set to conduct its annual review of
the sanctions it has imposed on Burma in late April. Piebalgs reiterated the
earlier position taken by the EU as well as the United States that a free and
credible elections was a pre-condition to lifting the sanctions.
"I can’t predict when exactly the
restrictive measures will be lifted but I understand that we need to encourage
the (Thein Sein) to continue the reforms.
But that these reforms should be done on a
very credible basis and on the basis that won’t jeopardize the credibility of
the EU decision-makers."
Yasmin Lee Arpon
Asia News Network
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment