§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the implementation of investment sanctions against Burma. [118362]
§ Mr. BattleWe regularly review the adequacy of EU measures on Burma. We have today persuaded EU Partners to strengthen the EU Common Position on Burma with three new measures: adding a ban on export of equipment that might be used for internal repression or terrorism; naming and shaming those Burmese leaders banned from visiting the EU; and freezing their assets.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce legislation to allow the imposition of unilateral investment sanctions on Burma. [118364]
§ Mr. BattleWe believe that multilateral sanctions are more effective than unilateral ones and have no plans to introduce legislation allowing adoption of unilateral investment sanctions on Burma. Our policy is not to encourage trade or investment in Burma.
§ Mr. SavidgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had recently with UK business about investment in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [118656]
§ Mr. BattleWe have made clear to Premier Oil that we do not encourage trade with or investment in Burma. On 27 March, I met Charles Jamieson, Chief Executive of Premier Oil, and made clear to him our deep concern about their investment in Burma and that we would welcome their moving out as soon as and to the fullest extent that they lawfully can. We regularly give business inquirers a statement on the nature of the Burmese regime and the state of the economy.