José Manuel Barroso, President of the EC, Karel De Gucht, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, and Kristalina Georgieva, Member of the EC in charge of International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, received Thein Sein, President of Burma/Myanmar.
During the joint press conference José Manuel Barroso noted that the political, social and economic reforms and the transition were not yet completed in the country and that much had to be done in the field of fundamental freedoms, especially minority rights. He added that it was also necessary to address the humanitarian situation in the Kachin and Rakhine States, to end conflicts and consolidate peace and deepen democratic reforms.
The President also listed where the EU was already supporting Burma/Myanmar, mentioning the EU development cooperation, support to the Burma/Myanmar Peace Centre, working with the Burma/Myanmar electoral commission to be sure that 2015 elections would meet the highest international standards and additional EU's funding to support the internal displaced in Rakhine State from both communities (Rohingya and Rakhine). José Manuel Barroso eventually highlighted that the EU would continue to play a lead role in the international community in this respect.