EU/ASEAN Summit: Burmese Participation

HL Deb 04 March 1999 vol 597 c199WA

Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances they would veto the holding of the ASEAN-European Union Summit, due to take place on 27–28 March in Berlin, in view of the question over the attendance of the Burmese ministers. [HL1157]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

As an ASEAN member, Burma is entitled to be represented at EU/ASEAN bloc-to-bloc meetings. The UK believes that the level of Burmese representation at the EU/ASEAN meeting of Foreign Ministers due to take place in Berlin in March, should be in line with the EU Common Position, which reflects the EU's concern about the appalling human rights and political situation in Burma. Arrangements for the meeting are being handled by the EU Presidency; the question of a UK veto on the holding of the meeting does not arise.