EU/MYANMAR : EU LIFTS NEARLY ALL ITS SANCTIONS AGAINST MYANMAR.

• Position: Brief article

"In response to the changes that have taken place and in the expectation that they will continue," the EU has lifted all sanctions against Burma (Myanmar) with the exception of the embargo on arms. According to conclusions adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council, on 22 April in Luxembourg, "the EU is willing to open a new chapter in its relations with Myanmar/Burma building a lasting partnership". The sanctions were suspended for one year, in April 2012, as a sign of good will to celebrate democratic reform started by the Thein Sein government since its arrival in power a year earlier. EU sanctions included travel bans and assets freezes against 491 persons. Some 59 companies and organisations were also targeted by the assets freezes. Moreover, commercial restrictions and restrictions on investments targeted over 800 businesses active...