§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the participation of(a) Aung San Suu kyi, (b) the National League for Democracy and (c) ethnic minorities are conditions of Burma's membership of the Asia Europe Meeting. [176899]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAsia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers met on 17–18 April and discussed enlargement of ASEM, among other issues. While Ministers noted moves by the regime in Burma, including the release of some members of opposition parties, they agreed that they wanted to see further and 303W concrete progress in Burma. EU Foreign Ministers raised in particular the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and an open and inclusive National Convention with the participation of the National League for Democracy. Ministers therefore agreed to postpone a decision on Burma's membership of ASEM, to allow ASEM members to monitor progress in Burma and review the situation in June.