Address ethnic violence: Carr to Myanmar

AAP
April 24, 2013

FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr has welcomed the European Union's decision to lift sanctions on Myanmar (Burma), but remains concerned by ethnic violence in the impoverished South-East Asian nation. 

EU foreign ministers agreed to lift the last of the bloc's trade, economic and individual sanctions against Myanmar, hailing "a new chapter" with the once pariah state.

During a visit to Brussels in March, Myanmar's president Thein Sein urged the EU to lift sanctions, saying "we are one of the poorest countries in the world".

EU ministers noted there were "still significant challenges to be addressed" around hostilities in Kachin state and improving the plight of the Rohingya people.

Senator Carr, who lobbied EU foreign ministers for the change, said he also wanted Myanmar's government to more effectively address religious and ethnic violence.

"These are deep-seated conflicts and I welcome President Thein Sein's commitment to hold an investigation into recent violence", he said in a statement.

"Promoting and, where necessary, having robust discussions about human rights and democracy in Myanmar will remain a central element of our engagement."

Australia lifted travel and financial sanctions on Myanmar on June last year, but its arms embargo against the nation remains in place.

The EU also upheld its ban on arms trading with the South-East Asian nation.