EU eases travel bans on Myanmar officials

The European Union says, it is easing travel bans against top Myanmar officials after the government carried out remarkable political reforms. EU foreign ministers said in a statement on Monday that the recent release of political prisoners in Myanmar shows the government is determined to continue reforms. They also welcomed the easing of media restrictions and efforts to make peace with ethnic groups in the country.

The EU said, visa bans would be lifted for Myanmar's president, vice presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament. It said it will continue to examine lifting more sanctions, and that if Myanmar continues on a path of reform then further easing could come by the end of April. The EU and the United States had imposed sanctions on Myanmar for years because of the former military government's human rights abuses.