The amnesty proclaimed by the Burmese authorities – which includes political prisoners, and is the third this year – bears witness to the Burmese Government’s intention to continue along the road of reforms.
The statement was made by Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, who noted that “in the context of the European Union’s decision to open up to the Burmese Government, Italy was one of the first countries to stress the need to encourage Myanmar in its reform process, not least by suspending the sanctions”.
These latest developments are in line with the hopes expressed by Minister Terzi, the first European political representative to visit Myanmar after the EU sanctions were suspended in April 2012.
“Today”, concluded Terzi, “Thein Sein’s Government has shown that it can provide a coherent response to the opening of credit by the international community. I hope that community will continue its efforts to foster reform in the country while vigilantly monitoring the reforms undertaken by Myanmar”.
