Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi shunned the opening of parliament on Monday while the nation’s president vowed “no U-turn” on reforms as the EU suspended wide-ranging sanctions.
Suu Kyi’s party has refused to swear to “safeguard” an army-created constitution in the first sign of tension with the government since a landmark by-election this month saw the democracy icon win a parliamentary seat. The spat comes as European Union nations put a halt to most sanctions against the impoverished nation for one year to reward a series of dramatic reforms since direct army rule ended last year. A statement adopted by foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc hailed “the historic changes in Myanmar/Burma over the past year”, as they agreed a suspension of measures against almost 500 individuals and more than 800 firms in a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. Myanmar, long-isolated under military dictatorship, has seen a rapid improvement in relations with the international community after the Nobel Peace Prize winner and her party achieved a decisive win in the April 1 polls. Suu Kyi has shown increased confidence in the reformist government of President Thein Sein in recent weeks, calling for the EU sanctions suspension and planning her first international trip in 24 years.
