Reform impressive, but more work needed: Burns

“We are greatly encouraged and impressed by the progress made to date; but much work remains to be done to realise a prosperous and fully democratic future for this country,” Burns said in his meeting with senior governmental officials and parliamentarians.

Burns visited Nay Pyi Taw and met with senior government officials and members of parliament. He met President Thein Sein, Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, Defence Minister Lt-General Wai Lwin, Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic minority parliamentarians. Both sides focussed on shared interests and growing partnership in reforming politics and economics.

“We hope to hope to see progress on the rule-of-law, human rights, transparency in investment, particularly in the extractive industries, and true national reconciliation,” Burns added.

The US, which welcomed the release of political prisoners, urged Myanmar to release the remaining political prisoners.

Burns also said that establishing a transparent process to review cases in question and ending conditions on those already released were also important.

He pointed out the significance of the first bilateral dialogue on human rights held in Nay Pyi Taw on October 16 and 17.