Fassino at the UN: 2010 crucial for Myanmar

“The 2010 elections may result in a crucial passage for the future of Burma and to this end, no effort should be spared towards the creation of favourable conditions for them to be conducted in a framework of democratic guarantees, in accordance with international standards of law, transparency and legality.”

So has stated the European Union's Special Envoy for Burma / Myanmar, Piero Fassino, at the ministerial meeting on Burma convened in New York by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and attended by the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the European Foreign Ministers Bildt, Milliband, Kouchner, Gahr-Store and the European Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, together with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Representatives of China, Korea, and Russia.

"From the meeting – underlined Fassino – a strong and unified message has been delivered to the authorities of Myanmar, so that they accept the requests made by the Secretary General of the United Nations: to free all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, to engage in an inclusive dialogue among the military authorities, the democratic opposition and ethnic communities and to adopt rules conducive to free and fair elections".

"If the authorities in Myanmar accept this request – added the European Envoy - the international community stands ready to support and contribute to all the positive actions and the useful measures for economic development and for democracy in full stability."

"The European Union - concluded Fassino - intends to continue its efforts in support of the initiatives promoted by the UN Secretary General and his Special Adviser and to further increase the already intense cooperation with ASEAN, with Asian countries and with the members of the Security Council."