Analysis of EU Conclusions on Burma

By Burma Campaign UK • January 24, 2012

On 23rd January 2012 the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union met and adopted conclusions about the current situation in Burma, including suspending implementation of part of the visa ban. The visa ban suspension was a proportional response to changes in Burma. The conclusions, however, present an overly optimistic and selective summary of the current situation. They appear to be designed to prepare the ground for a further significant relaxation of sanctions when they are due for renewal in April.

However, given that EU benchmarks have not been met, and that there are significant remaining problems that would make it difficult to justify lifting all sanctions, the Council conclusions highlight positives and ignore negatives.

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