TOKYO, May 6 (UPI) -- The European Union has tried engaging Burma by arranging an unusual get-together during the Asia-Europe meeting in Japan.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner presented Nyan Win, Burma's foreign minister, with a list, the BBC reports. It included Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace prize winner and leader of the opposition.
The EU imposed sanctions on Burma several years ago because of the military government's human rights record. But the BBC said that EU officials are concerned because Burma takes over the rotating chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Ferrero-Waldner's spokeswoman said that the commissioner told Win that many of the detainees should be released on humanitarian grounds because of health problems and that the foreign minister said he would look into the matter.
