April 21, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 03, 1428

BRUSSELS, April 20: European Union foreign ministers will next week renew sanctions against Myanmar's military regime, which restrict travel by officials and prevent investment there, an EU official said on Friday.

The sanctions, originally introduced in 1996 after Yangon failed to meet EU demands for greater democracy, will be “rolled over” with agreement of all 27 members but without debate when EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg on Monday for a regular get-together, the official said.

The EU notably wants Myanmar to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to launch a national dialogue for reconciliation and end human rights abuses.

“The European Union does not see any progress made,” by the regime, the official said, adding that “there are continuing concerns over human rights”.Under the sanctions, renewed annually, members of the ruling military junta and their families are forbidden from entering EU member states. The EU has also forbidden EU companies or organisations from making investments in Myanmar.

The military has spelled out a “road map” for democracy, including talks on a new constitution, but Aung San Suu Kyi's party has boycotted the process, which critics have called a sham.—AFP