Suspend sanctions on Myanmar: Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday called for a suspension of economic sanctions against Myanmar following landmark talks.

“I think there are prospects for change in Burma and I think it is right for the rest of the world to respond to those changes,” Cameron said, using the country’s former name.

“Of course we must respond with caution, with care. We must always be sceptical and questioning because we want to know those changes are irreversible... But as we discussed I think it is right to suspend the sanctions that there are against Burma,” with the exception of the arms embargo, Cameron said.

Suu Kyi agreed, saying: “I support the idea of the suspension of sanctions rather than the lifting of sanctions.”

Earlier in the day, Cameron held talks with Myanmar’s reformist President Thein Sein as he became the first Western leader to visit the country in decades. The historic trip comes as world powers consider lifting economic sanctions against the former pariah state following recent elections which gave Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi her first-ever seat in parliament.

Britain — Myanmar’s former colonial ruler — has traditionally taken a hardline stance on sanctions because of human rights concerns.

The 27-nation European Union already lifted some restrictions against the regime this year and foreign ministers will decide the next steps when they meet on April 23.