EU working toward diplomatic mission in Myanmar

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei – The European Union says it will work toward establishing a full diplomatic mission in Myanmar.

The effort comes after the EU suspended economic sanctions against Myanmar earlier this month following reforms by the government of President Thein Sein, which took power a year ago from the country's military junta.

The EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says she will travel to Myanmar on Saturday and open an office to channel support for development work and reforms.

Ashton told reporters after a meeting of European and Southeast Asian foreign ministers Friday that the office "will be a first step toward what I hope will be a full delegation as we make the planning to go forward in that direction."