EU urges end to hostilities, ready to support peace process
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The embassies of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and the EU Delegation urged an end to an end to hostilities across the country, including in Kachin State, and support the early launch of
In a statement that concluded their joint three-day mission to Kachin State released yesterday, they said that EU Heads of Mission (HOMs) are convinced that peace and security are needed to consolidate democracy, promoting socio-economic development and protecting human rights in Myanmar. EU missions understand that years of fighting have left a legacy of deep mistrust between the conflict parties in Kachin State and beyond.
“EU HOMs consider the recent meeting between the KIO leadership, the president and the Commander-in-Chief an encouraging development which they welcome,” it said.
The 7th discussion on the national ceasefire agreement took place in Yangon during March 17-18.
The delegation had insightful discussions with a wide range of actors including the Kachin State Chief Minister and his Cabinet, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), the Kachin Election Commission, Kachin local civil society and faith-based organisations, Kachin businesspeople, international NGOs and UN agencies as well as a range of ethnic-based political parties active in Kachin State. They also visited Maina KBC camp housing more than 2,200 internally displaced persons.
The main topics discussed during the trip included the peace process and the forthcoming general elections. EU missions registered concerns over reports on human rights violations and stressed the need for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, improved humanitarian access to populations in need and voluntariness of return. In addition, many other issues were raised such as the worrying increase of drugs in Kachin as well as the potential impact of the current fighting in Kokang.
"The EU remains committed to help building peace, security, stability and prosperity in Myanmar, including through its engagement in complex areas such as the peace process and support to the elections. The EU endeavours to promote its values and share its own experience in terms of peace-building, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, strengthening civil society and the media, and an open economy,” the delegation said in the statement.
