YANGON, Myanmar, April 30 (UPI) -- The European Union is committed to supporting Myanmar through long-term development programs, the EU foreign policy chief said from Yangon.
Catherine Ashton, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, said from Myanmar that the EU had committed $198 million in developmental aid for the fiscal year.
"We offer support for the long term and it's something I believe in strongly," she said in a statement. "Short-term initiatives are very significant but it's the long-term development programs that really make the difference."
The Council of the European Union announced last week it would suspend restrictive measures placed on the government in Myanmar, known also as Burma. The suspension doesn't include matters related to an arms embargo.
Myanmar earned international praise for its democratic reforms. It had its first general election in roughly 20 years in 2010 after releasing pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, now a member of Parliament, from a lengthy house arrest.
Suu Kyi is to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this week. She announced Monday she was resuming her role in Parliament after a brief boycott over legislative procedures.
Ashton, during her visit, opened a political office for the European Union in Myanmar.
