EU Council Conclusions on the humanitarian situation in Burma/Myanmar

Main results of the Council

The Council met for a special session to assess the humanitarian situation in Burma/Myanmar in the wake of the cyclone Nargis. Welcoming the solidarity shown by member states and the Commission in providing funds and assistance, it called on the Burmese authorities to offer free and unfettered access to international humanitarian experts and to take urgent action to facilitate the flow of aid. With commissioner Louis Michel about to travel to Burma, it expressed support for his efforts to ensure access for humanitarian aid workers to the affected areas, for without the cooperation of the Burmese authorities, an even greater tragedy is threatened.

The Council also expressed its condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in China. Noting China's readiness to welcome foreign assistance, the EU stands ready to provide it as soon as conditions on the ground permit it.

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

Humanitarian situation in Burma/Myanmar - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. "The Council has met to review the situation and the issues to be addressed at this stage. The Council expresses again its condolences to the people of Burma/Myanmar, especially the families of those many thousands who have died in the wake of cyclone Nargis. The Council considers that without the co-operation of the authorities in Burma/Myanmar, an even greater tragedy is threatened. In this respect, it fully shares the deep concern recently expressed by the UN Secretary General. The Council supports any initiative, including in the UN bodies, which would help to meet the humanitarian needs of the Burmese people.

2. The Council stresses its strong support for the efforts of the UN, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and NGOs to bring aid to the people of Burma/Myanmar. The Council underlines that the effective delivery of aid must be monitored by expert humanitarian staff.

3. The Council welcomes the contributions that the Commission, Member States and individual citizens have made to the relief efforts. The EU stands ready to provide additional assistance to meet the massive needs of the people, especially children. The Council recalls that EU Humanitarian Aid is entirely neutral, impartial and independent, in accordance with the EU Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

4. While welcoming recent albeit limited improvements on the ground, the Council calls on the authorities in Burma/Myanmar to offer free and unfettered access to international humanitarian experts, including the expeditious delivery of visa and travel permits. The Council also calls on the authorities to take urgent action to facilitate the flow of aid to people in desperate need who should benefit in full from the relief offered by the international community.

5. In this context, the Council welcomes the initiative of the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel to travel to Burma/Myanmar for purely humanitarian purposes. The Council expresses its support for the Commissioner's aim to seek progress from the competent Burmese authorities in order to ensure access of humanitarian aid workers to the country and to the affected areas.

6. The Council encourages the UN Secretary General to continue his efforts and joins him in calling on all organisations and states in the region, in particular ASEAN, China and India, to do all they can to persuade the authorities of Burma/Myanmar to co-operate with the international community and to offer practical and logistical support to the UN-led relief work."

Earthquake in China - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"The Council expresses its deepest condolences to the people of China for the massive loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake which struck the country.

We share the grief of all those who have lost loved ones and express our heartfelt sympathies to those who have been injured and suffered heavy material losses in this catastrophe.

The European Union, noting the China's readiness to welcome foreign assistance, stands ready to provide it as soon as conditions on the ground permit it."

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