# CE2004088EN.01066601.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/666 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/666

---

(2004/C 88 E/0684)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4019/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(9 January 2004)

Subject:   Burma Forum

Subject:

On 15 December 2003 a meeting arranged by the government of Thailand on the road map for Burma took place in Bangkok. The EU (and critics such as the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries) were not invited to attend. Only a few EU Member States were invited because in practice they have always obstructed more stringent measures against the Burmese regime (Germany, France, Italy and Austria).

Significantly, those EU countries that attended the meeting followed the line taken in the EU's common position on Burma. The EU should also ask to be involved in the follow-up. It is very important to make it clear to all Asian countries that there can be no solution to the problems in Burma without the active involvement of both the democratic opposition (NLD) and the ethnic minorities. The EU must not allow itself to be divided as a result of some countries being played off against others.

| 1. | What measures is the Commission taking to promote such an approach? |
| --- | --- |

1.

What measures is the Commission taking to promote such an approach?

| 2. | Can the Commission give details of the outcome of the recent review of the EU's common position on Burma in the light of the impact of the current sanctions? |
| --- | --- |

2.

Can the Commission give details of the outcome of the recent review of the EU's common position on Burma in the light of the impact of the current sanctions?

| 3. | Will the Commission encourage the EU delegations in China and India in particular to facilitate discussions between those two governments and relevant Burmese democratic and opposition forces in some way, possibly maintaining a low profile? As the Chinese and Indian governments now have contacts with the junta, will the EU take greater advantage of its links with them and specifically ask them to use those contacts or bring pressure to bear on the Burmese regime? |
| --- | --- |

3.

Will the Commission encourage the EU delegations in China and India in particular to facilitate discussions between those two governments and relevant Burmese democratic and opposition forces in some way, possibly maintaining a low profile? As the Chinese and Indian governments now have contacts with the junta, will the EU take greater advantage of its links with them and specifically ask them to use those contacts or bring pressure to bear on the Burmese regime?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2004)

(11 February 2004)

The Commission, and all Member States, continue to call on the Government of Burma/Myanmar to enter in to substantive dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy and ethnic minority groups. This was also the line followed by those Member States who participated in the Bangkok meeting on 15 December 2003.

The Common Position is up for renewal before 29 April 2004. As discussions are on-going in relevant Council working groups, the Honourable Member will understand that the Commission is currently not in a position to comment, or anticipate the outcome of these discussions.

The European Union has on several occasions raised its concerns regarding the situation in Burma/Myanmar with neighbouring Asian countries, including India and China, encouraging them to use their influence to encourage the Burmese regime to undertake some firm steps towards national reconciliation and a return to democracy.

---