Ashton says Myanmar has "more to do"
- 12 years ago
The EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton greets Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Ashton is in Bangkok on a one-day visit to boost ties with the Asian Tiger and pursue new investment in the region.
The visit comes a day after her landmark meeting with pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.
At a Bangkok news conference, Ashton spoke about the impending lifting of sanctions against the impoverished nation.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING
"Not surprisingly, they'd like us to lift the sanctions, eventually.They understand very well that the suspension of all the sanctions is a very strong signal to the country and that it's a recognition of the progress that has just happened so far. But it's also by its nature sends a strong signal that the journey is still progressing. There's much more to do."
She added that bolstering Myanmar's development is also on the list.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING:
"I met the speaker and the chairs of many of the committees. They were very anxious to talk about economic development and to see how we can support them in the changes that are taking place, but also recognition that there's a lot to do, and I think her participation is going to be really important."
Ashton is set to leave for Brussels later in the day.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
Ashton is in Bangkok on a one-day visit to boost ties with the Asian Tiger and pursue new investment in the region.
The visit comes a day after her landmark meeting with pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.
At a Bangkok news conference, Ashton spoke about the impending lifting of sanctions against the impoverished nation.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING
"Not surprisingly, they'd like us to lift the sanctions, eventually.They understand very well that the suspension of all the sanctions is a very strong signal to the country and that it's a recognition of the progress that has just happened so far. But it's also by its nature sends a strong signal that the journey is still progressing. There's much more to do."
She added that bolstering Myanmar's development is also on the list.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING:
"I met the speaker and the chairs of many of the committees. They were very anxious to talk about economic development and to see how we can support them in the changes that are taking place, but also recognition that there's a lot to do, and I think her participation is going to be really important."
Ashton is set to leave for Brussels later in the day.
Jessica Gray, Reuters