COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

 

Press material Saturday, 01 February 2025

● Council of the EU   01/02/2025 00:35 | Statements and remarks | Myanmar/Burma: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the Fourth Anniversary of the Coup   On the fourth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, the European Union (EU) reiterates its strongest condemnation of the actions taken by the Myanmar military since 1 February 2021 and calls for the end of all forms of violence and the release of all prisoners arbitrarily detained including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup has plunged Myanmar into a dire, political, economic, social, human rights and humanitarian crisis, with widespread violence, including indiscriminate air strikes by the military regime and continuous violations of International Humanitarian Law, mostly affecting the civilian population. The EU underlines the need for accountability for all atrocities committed in Myanmar and the key role of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar in such efforts. Since 2021, the number of people in need of urgent assistance has increased dramatically from 1 million to almost 20 million, while the conflict has resulted in the internal displacement of over 3.5 million people. Tens of thousands have fled to neighbouring countries. The military regime continues to restrict humanitarian access and the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with other armed actors also trying to influence the work of independent humanitarian organisations. We urge the Myanmar military in particular and all armed actors to allow and facilitate the work of independent humanitarian organisations and call for complete, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need. The crisis in Myanmar poses a significant threat to regional stability that must be urgently addressed: The EU calls for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and the protection of all civilians. The EU is deeply concerned about the ongoing militarisation and forced conscription of civilians across the country, including the Rohingya and other minorities, both by the military and by some other armed groups. The EU will continue to fund humanitarian and development activities that contribute to the protection and the resilience of the population, including activities that help prevent the forced recruitment of people, including children. The EU urges the establishment of an inclusive dialogue, which is key to the crisis resolution process. The EU calls on all groups opposing the coup to work together towards a common platform with the aim of restoring a peaceful and democratic path and ensuring the rights and freedoms of all people of Myanmar. The EU further encourages ASEAN and the United Nations, as well as the work of their appointed Special Envoys for Myanmar, to facilitate an inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis. We believe that only a collaborative approach, involving all relevant stakeholders, will achieve lasting peace and stability. The EU will continue working with the international community towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and supporting efforts that put Myanmar on a genuine democratic path, while avoiding to legitimise the actions of the military regime. Any elections held without a prior inclusive dialogue between all parties and lacking popular support and broad participation are likely to exacerbate violence and instability in Myanmar. The EU continues to support ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and invites all countries within the region as well as the broader international community to support a peaceful solution. The EU reiterates its call for increased international preventive action, including a global arms embargo, and calls upon all States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and any other military equipment to Myanmar, in order to prevent further violations of International Humanitarian Law and abuses of human rights. The EU has adopted restrictive measures against 106 individuals and 22 entities, and stands ready to impose additional restrictive measures targeting transnational crime actors and those responsible for the ongoing violence and serious human rights violations in the country. The EU will continue to ensure that these measures remain targeted and do not harm the broader Myanmar population. The EU reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar and will continue to address their needs through humanitarian and development assistance. The EU remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy, human rights, accountability and a peaceful future.

● Council of the EU

31/01/2025 18:37 | Press release | Forward look: 3 - 16 February 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Informal EU leaders' retreat, 3 February 2025 EU leaders will gather for an informal retreat focusing on European defence. They will address ways to strengthen defence capabilities at EU level, how to mobilise financing and investments in a more efficient way, and how to deepen existing partnerships and cooperation on defence, including with non-EU partners. Read more Other meetings Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Internal market and industry), 3-4 February 2025 Informal meeting of trade ministers, 3-4 February 2025 Informal meeting of ministers for development, 10-11 February 2025 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Polish presidency (1 January - 30 June 2025) Polish presidency