Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - The European Union and Japan on Monday said Burma’s 2010 elections could be welcomed if it is based on an inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders in the country.

Leaders of the EU and Japan, in a joint statement released on Monday, expressed hope that the Burmese regime would tackle the country’s severe political, structural and economic problems and foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic and civilian government without delay.

The leaders also pointed out that “elections proposed for 2010 could be welcomed by the international community if they were based on an inclusive dialogue among all the stakeholders in Myanmar [Burma].”

In the context of the election, the leaders also called on the Burmese junta to release political prisoners and detainees, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to lift all restrictions imposed on political parties immediately.

The EU, which has imposed economic sanctions and travel restrictions on Burma’s military generals, extended its common position on Burma for another year in April. But it recorded its willingness to open a dialogue with the regime.

Japan, however, has not imposed any sanctions against the Burmese military regime, and continues to cooperate with Burma’s military.

The summit was chaired by Mr Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, which currently chairs the European Union.

Summit leaders, in their statement, said they are willing to respond positively if the Burmese regime could provide proof of political progress and steps towards respect for human rights.

The EU and Japan also reiterated their support for the United Nations Secretary General’s special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma and called on the Burmese junta to cooperate fully with him.