EU Extends Sanctions
The European Union has extended its sanctions on the Burmese junta for 12 months and threatened to expand them amidst
ongoing concerns over the political situation. The EU's 27 member states agreed to extend the current range of sanctions
covering travel, investment and trade, and reiterated their readiness "to introduce further restrictive measures in
light of developments on the ground."
In addition there was further criticism of Burma's proposed new constitution, which is to be the subject of a referendum
on May 10. The EU said that " it could see restrictions on the eligibility for high political office, allow the military
to suspend the constitution at will and fail to accommodate the country's ethnic diversity."
The meeting of EU foreign ministers also called for an international embargo on arms exports to the military regime.
ENDS