ASEAN, EU to work together on Myanmar

SINGAPORE, ASEAN and the European Union will work to strengthen the UN special envoy's mission to bring about democratic changes in Myanmar, the Singaporean and French foreign ministers said Monday.

Despite differences over sanctions on the military-ruled nation, both groupings said they would support the efforts of envoy Ibrahim Gambari in Myanmar, Foreign Minister George Yeo and visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

"I asked for European support, for French support. I was very happy to receive a very positive response from Minister Kouchner," Yeo told reporters after a meeting. Singapore is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and will host a summit next month during which Myanmar is expected to be the main agenda.

Yeo acknowledged differences between the EU and ASEAN over the effectiveness of sanctions on Myanmar. EU foreign ministers on October 15 approved new sanctions against the Myanmar regime, including an embargo on the export of wood, gems and metals following last month's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that left at least 13 people dead and thousands imprisoned.

The EU already has broad sanctions in place against Myanmar's leadership and their families - with 375 people on a visa-ban, asset-freeze list.

Further measures up to an all-out ban on new investments may also be considered.

Yangon, Tuesday, AFP.