Myanmar
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to see examples
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The primary goal of the European Union (EU) working in Burma/Myanmar is to see a legitimate civilian government established, which respects human rights, effectively pursues the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and restores normal relations with the international community. Since 1996, the EU has adopted a series of restrictive measures towards the country known as ‘the Common Position’. Although this initially limited EU assistance solely to humanitarian aid, in 2004, it was broadened to allow the European Commission more flexibility to tackle deep-rooted structural poverty. Particular attention is being paid to the strengthening of civil society, opening links to the outside world, and progress on the MDGs.
EU Aid programmes 2007-2013
The EU-Burma/Myanmar Strategy Paper 2007-2013 was drawn up following the decision to develop a strategic framework for EU assistance to the country. Involving a substantial increase in financial support, the strategy will enable the Commission to move from a mainly reactive response to a proactive approach to the country’s development needs. With education and health among the main driving forces in poverty reduction, and given the Commission’s strong track record in these fields, the strategy focuses on two main sectors:
- Education – prioritising primary and informal education
- Health – tackling communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
The multi-annual indicative programme (2007-2010) covers the first four years of the strategy and allocates €32 million to support these sectors. In addition, the Commission’s thematic programmes will also remain important sources of support to non-state actors.
Recent assistance
Until 2004, the main development assistance provided by the Commission was for the repatriation and reintegration of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, mainly through the UN High Commission for Refugees and a number of small NGO projects. Assistance was also provided to Burmese refugees living in Thailand and Bangladesh.
A €5 million programme began in 2003 with other donors under the UN Joint Programme for HIV/AIDS and has been implemented by two UN agencies and four NGOs. A further €2 million was allocated in 2006 to new phases of these actions. Based on this experience, the Commission, along with a number of other donors helped create the ‘Three diseases fund’ in 2006 to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
More information
The European External Action Serviceis responsible for the EU's cooperation strategy in Burma/Myanmar.
More details can be found on the website of the Delegation of the European Union to Burma/Myanmar.