EU to send election observers to Myanmar

The European Union is sending 5 observers to Myanmar's parliamentary by-elections next month following an invitation from the country's government.

The by-elections for both chambers of parliament and regional assemblies will take place on April 1st. Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is among the candidates.

Myanmar has already promised to accept observers from the United States and ASEAN member countries. The EU observers will join them.

The EU regards the by-elections as the first opportunity to fundamentally review the policies towards the country. EU Foreign Ministers are expected to meet on April 23rd and likely to start discussing the lifting of economic sanctions on the country, which have been in place for nearly 3 decades.