PM meets President U Thein Sein
Free elections in 2015 were discussed by Prime Minister David Cameron and President U Thein Sein of Burma at Downing Street today.
Following the meeting, a Number 10 spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister hosted President U Thein Sein at Downing Street earlier today where he welcomed progress made on political transition in Burma and the President briefed him on the latest developments.
The PM welcomed the prospect of free and fair elections in 2015 and emphasised the importance of completing necessary changes to the constitution, including to allow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to stand in future elections. He emphasised the need to resolve the situation in Rakhine State and protect the rights of the Rohingya Muslims. He also stressed the need to overturn the two child policy on the Rohingya Muslim community that has been introduced at local government level.
Both leaders discussed the tremendous opportunities for developing the relationship between Britain and Burma. In particular, through growing defence cooperation, educational partnerships for English language training and a bigger role for British companies providing sustainable and ethical investment. The PM emphasised his strong commitment to using British development assistance to support Burma’s economic and political transition.