Lithuanian Foreign Minister Talks to Burma/Myanmar Opposition Leader, Expresses Support for Democratic Forces

By Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania • August 11, 2011

On 11 August on the initiative of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis a phone conversation with Burma/Myanmar opposition leader and Secretary General of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi took place. During the conversation A.Ažubalis expressed support for democratic forces of Burma/Myanmar.

The Minister assured that Lithuania would continue to raise the Burma/Myanmar issue in various bilateral meetings and multilateral forums.

Aung San Suu Kyi stated that the most important task is to show Burma/Myanmar Government that its actions are closely monitored and that the international community will react if the situation in Burma/Myanmar deteriorates again.

According to her, it is also necessary for those representatives of the current government, who believe that Burma/Myanmar needs democratic change, to feel the support.

In April a common European Union’s position on Burma/Myanmar was reviewed. In discussions on the Council’s conclusions Lithuania took the position, that elections in Burma/Myanmar on 7 November, 2010 did not bring any real change to the country, and that sanctions can not be mitigated.

Aung San Suu Kyi thanked for the principled position of Lithuania. She said that this is the only way to make the current Burma/Myanmar government understand that the reforms are necessary.

The opposition leader said that dialogue with the Burma/Myanmar authorities is possible only after release of all political prisoners and permission for all political parties to participate in elections.

Lithuania supported actively the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution on the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar adopted on 18 March, 2011.

During the telephone conversation the Minister also thanked Aung San Suu Kyi for a video message, transmitted on 1 July 2011 at Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Community of Democracies in Vilnius.

In 1989-2010 Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest in Burma. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

This post is in: Press Release

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Talks to Burma/Myanmar Opposition Leader, Expresses Support for Democratic Forces

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