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| UK Minister of State Hugo Swire & Daw Aung San Suu Kyi |
By Hugo Swire
The country has seen remarkable change, even if much more needs to be done.
The last three years in Burma have seen remarkable change, as the country starts out on the hard, but essential, journey towards democracy. Working closely with the U.S. and the international community, the U.K. has supported Burma’s progress. We continue to work with the government, political parties, and armed groups to reach a nationwide ceasefire and establish an inclusive nationwide political dialogue. But there is still much to do to ensure Burma continues to move forward on its path to democracy.
There is a special affection for Burma in the U.K., given our shared history, and the close ties many people still have with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from her days living in Oxford. I have been fortunate enough to visit Burma twice recently, including trips to Rakhine State in 2012 and to Kachin State earlier this year, the first British Minister to travel to the latter since Burma’s independence.
The U.K. has responded to the remarkable changes in Burma by lifting EU sanctions, in close coordination with the U.S. We have also re-engaged with the military through the reappointment of a Defence Attaché and have begun delivering limited military non-combat education courses. It is our belief that we must be proactive in our engagement with the Burmese military and show them how a military is expected to behave in a modern democracy.
Read the full story at The Diplomat