European Union eases Myanmar sanctions

BRUSSELS – The EU has suspended admission restrictions against Myanmar's leadership to reward its moves toward political reform.

The European Union said Friday that 87 top officials from Myanmar are involved in the goodwill measure, even though a freeze on their assets will be maintained until further notice.

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Friday that the decision "is a reaction to the positive signs coming from the country," which she will visit in April.

In addition to the visa ban, the EU has imposed an arms embargo and a ban on the sale of goods linked to internal repression. It also has suspended certain development aid programs. All the restrictive measures need to be reassessed ahead of the end of April.