2126. Council - GENERAL AFFAIRS (pr

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Subject: 2126. Council - GENERAL AFFAIRS (provisional version)  :  BURMA -

CONCLUSIONS
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BURMA - CONCLUSIONS

Press Release: Luxembourg (26-10-1998) - Nr. 12274/98 (Presse 351) 


The Council has once again considered the deteriorating internal
situation in Burma. It remains deeply concerned at the lack of a
positive response from the Burmese authorities to the repeated calls
for them to take steps towards the promotion of democracy and human
rights, and of national reconciliation. It has accordingly extended
and strengthened the EU Common Position through a widening of the visa
ban by explicitly including transit visas under the current ban and
its extension to cover Burmese authorities in the tourism sector,
while ensuring that the ban is applied rigorously to all individual
members of the SPDC and the military, together with their families. It
also echoes the view, expressed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, that, in the
present situation, it is inappropriate for tourists to visit Burma. 

In these circumstances, although Burma has become a member of ASEAN,
the EU cannot agree to Burmese accession to the EC-ASEAN Agreement.
However, given the importance of the EC-ASEAN relationship, it has
decided to accept a Burmese presence, under special conditions to be
agreed upon, at the next meeting of the Joint Committee under the
EC-ASEAN Agreement. This is without prejudice to Burmese
representation at future meetings held under that agreement, which
will need to be decided in the light of the situation in Burma.