Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    April 28, 2012

EU Foreign Policy Chief Meets With Burmese Opposition Leader

   VOA News
   Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) walks next to
   European Union Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton after their
   meeting and news conference in Rangoon, April 28, 2012. Photo: Reuters
   Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) walks next to
   European Union Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton after their
   meeting and news conference in front of the National League for
   Democracy head office in Rangoon, April 28, 2012.

   European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met with Burmese
   opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon Saturday.
   Standing next to the Nobel Peace laureate at a news conference in
   Burma's main city, Ashton urged the Burmese government to continue its
   progress toward democracy.
   Ashton is set to open a new EU office in Rangoon to oversee the
   management of aid programs and to handle political matters.
   Speaking in Brunei Friday after a meeting of European and Southeast
   Asian foreign ministers and diplomats, Ashton said the office would be
   the first step toward establishing a full diplomatic delegation.
   Her visit comes just days after the EU suspended a wide range of trade,
   economic and individual sanctions against the long-isolated country.
   On Monday, Ashton will meet with President Thein Sein and other
   officials in the administrative capital, Naypyidaw.
   In a statement Friday, Ashton said the EU had decided to open a new
   chapter in relations, although she added that reforms need to continue
   and the EU needs to see further progress, in particular the
   unconditional release of all political prisoners and efforts to end
   ethnic conflicts.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.