EU can lead democratic reforms in Burma

Thura U Shwe Mann and Guido Westerwelle AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

During a first historical visit to Europe, a parliamentary delegation from Myanmar guided by Thura U Shwe Mann, speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw/House of Representatives, was in Brussels to meet with the leaders of the EU and with the Belgian Institutions.

Various MP’s and committee chairs, such as the one for international relations, were also part of the Asian group that was in Brussels to facilitate the political exchanges after the outcome of the by-elections in April. In order to facilitate democratic reforms, the EU has reacted by suspending the sanctions imposed on the Myanmar Government, with the exception of the arms embargo, by Council conclusions of 23rd April. Bridging China, India and South East Asia, this multi-ethnic country will play a growing role in the area, and will take over the ASEAN council presidency in 2014.

After a first stop in Germany, New Europe met with the Asian delegation in the EU capital during a panel debate with Seamus Gillespie,Head of Division South-East Asia, European External Action Service, organized by the Hanns Heidel Stiftung

At the moment in Myanmar there are two different ways to see the future but Mr.Thura U Shwe Mann is positive about the recent developments “I believe that those who prefer democratic reforms to take place in our country will finally win because from outside we have the perception that I'm leading this democratic reform path in our country but in reality is the people and the parliamentarians who are also the driving forces”, he said. “Those who wishes to see truth in our country will win eventually.”

Thura U Shwe Mann is counting on EU support in order for much-needed reforms to be pushed through in his country. “In order to foster a proper reforms path in Myanmar I don't believe that only political will can be accomplish, at the same time we need to make necessary economic reforms. The government is taking important measures to alleviate poverty but this effort is not enough, we need a lot of support from the democratic and developed countries and at the same we also require a big help from the NGO's”, he said.

Co-operation was the strategic topic of the visit of the parliamentary delegation, he said, adding that the people of his country “believe that development can be build thanks to democracy and if you look at the countries of the world today those who have peace, stability and development have also democracy. I would like to cooperate closely with more countries therefore we believe that the democratic process is the only way to do so, this is the right moment to act”.

“Our country lacked behind as development is concerned because we were not able to establish a democratic strategy. We need learn from the past and implement all possible democratic measures”

Another sensitive issue for this Asian country is related to human rights, which, says Thura U Shwe Mann can be addressed as the country moves closer to democracy.“ When we will be closer to democracy, we will also be able to resolve human rights issues”, he says. “For the moment we established in the parliament a political body called "fundamental rights, democracy and human rights committee" which can take necessary actions to protect against violations. I think that democracy will also prevail. Then we also established an internal peace implementation committee and the parliament is working to arrive at a sustainable peace and stability for the population. Afterward we work hand in hand with the international community and especially with the EU. The visit in Myanmar of Mrs. Ashton was very positive to normalize our relations, during her visit in April she opened the EU delegation office and met then with our president.”

  

Posted by BCJP on Friday, May 11, 2012. Filed under burmacampaign, hnm9san, latest, network . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Feel free to leave a response