Opening of “Burma Day”

 

1. Herve Jouanjean, Deputy Director-General for Asia and Latin America, external relations Directorate General, European Commission opened the Conference and clarified that the purpose of the Conference is to discuss the delivery of Humanitarian Aid, not changing the EU Common Position.

 

2. He emphasized that the EU Common Position will be strengthened if there is no progress in Burma. The Common Position has to be decided at the Council of the European Union by member nations, not the Commission.

 

3. The Commission as is normal, gave a contract for a report to be written by experts. The Commission does not endorse the report.

 

4.Taylor and Mortensen also modified their report when it was presented. They emphasized the need for humanitarian aid and did not push for a change in policy. 

 

5. Pierre Amhilat, EC, Head of SE Asia Unit at the end also said it was not their intention to exclude people. They were focusing on people from Burma and were not sensitive enough. He said they did a bad 'marketing job'.

 

6. They accepted the criticism made and also noted the recommendations from the Euro-Burma Office and others.

 

7. There will be more consultations with stakeholders as the EC. There is a need to dialogue at every level.

 

8. He reemphasized that the Common Position is not going to be changed.