EU 'concerned' over democracy in Myanmar

BRUSSELS, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The international relations arm of the European Union said it was "deeply concerned" Myanmar will fail to take appropriate steps toward democracy.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union said in a statement Tuesday that it "remains deeply concerned by the situation in … Myanmar and urges the authorities to take rapid steps to transition to a democratically elected government."

The EU said that although Myanmarese authorities said they would draft a new constitution this May and have multiparty elections in 2010, the nation can't have full participation while it continues to hold political activitists, such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, in custody.

The EU also expressed its support for the U.N. mission helping Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, transition to a democracy and called on the nation to readmit the special adviser for the United Nations.

The EU concluded the statement saying it was determined to help "the people of … Myanmar to achieve stability, prosperity and democracy."

Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest in Rangoon following a contentious general election in 1990.