CANBERRA, (Reuters) – Australia will lift its remaining financial and travel sanctions against Myanmar and double its aid in a move to encourage further democratic reform as the country tentatively emerges from decades of military rule, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said.
The lifting of economic sanctions, which follows a U.S. suspension of sanctions, will come into effect in coming weeks but Australia’s arms embargo against Myanmar will remain in place, Carr said in a statement.
“Myanmar has made great strides over the past year, though there is more to be done,” Carr said.
“The point has been reached where lifting sanctions is the best way to promote further progress,” he said.
Carr met President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday during a visit to the former Burma.
Myanmar has been slowly putting in place democratic reforms that have attracted the interest of investors and persuaded Western governments to suspend or lift sanctions.
In April, Australia outlined its plan to ease sanctions and normalise bilateral trade relations in recognition of the reforms over the past year. Ruled by a military dictatorship for most of its contemporary history, Myanmar held parliamentary by-elections in April.
