EU deplores lack of democracy progress in Myanmar

Brussels, Nov 10 (IANS) The European Union Monday deplored the 'lack of progress' towards democracy in Myanmar and said that elections slated for 2010 in the junta-ruled nation would have no credibility unless pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released.

The EU foreign ministers meeting in a statement said they deplored 'the lack of progress made this year towards a genuine transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar since the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations by the military authorities', reports EuAsiaNews.

The EU ministers said that the Myanmar authorities should unconditionally release all political prisoners, in particular Suu Kyi and initiate a political process with United Nations support on the basis of an 'inclusive, long-term dialogue in which the opposition and ethnic groups can participate fully'.

The ministers reaffirmed the 27-member EU's firm and unconditional support for the UN Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices and welcomed his renewed personal commitment to ending the current deadlock.