EU weighs sanctions on Myanmar military over coup

By AFP
10 February 2021
EU weighs sanctions on Myanmar military over coup
EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrel. Photo: EPA

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday the bloc could impose fresh sanctions on Myanmar's military over its seizure of power but warned any punishment should not hit the population.

"We are currently reviewing all our options," Borrell told lawmakers at the European Parliament.

Borrell said one of the paths open to the bloc were "additional targeted sanctions on individuals and on business owned by the military".

Borrell said the EU could also review development assistance to Myanmar or curb trade ties with the southeast Asian nation.

But the former Spanish minister insisted that the bloc "should avoid rushing into measures which could adversely affect the most vulnerable part of the population".

He said foreign ministers from the EU's 27 nations would discuss the next moves at a meeting on February 22.

"We will ensure that we are doing nothing to legitimise the actions of the military, while trying to maintain support to the people of Myanmar," he said.

© AFP