Tougher EU Sanctions

The new restrictions, agreed on October 15 and formalized by ministers on Monday, include a longer list of Myanmar officials who are subject to a travel ban and an assets freeze.

An investment ban on Burmese state-owned enterprises has also been extended to include businesses owned or controlled by the regime or "by persons and entities associated with the regime," an EU statement said.

Ministers also confirmed additional restrictive measures on Myanmar's logging, timber and mining sectors.

While the General Affairs Council in Brussels was to consider "further restrictive measures", EU External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the effects of current sanctions should be assessed first.

The EU recently appointed Piero Fassino, a former Italian justice minister, as its special envoy to Myanmar.

"This appointment underlines the importance that the EU attaches to development, democratic change, reconciliation and the improvement of the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar," EU ministers said Monday.

Fassino plans to visit the region, but no date has yet been set.

EU reiterates support for UN envoy

In the meantime, the ministers reaffirmed their "strong support" for the efforts of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who visited Myanmar on November 3-8.

"The EU looks forward to Mr. Gambari's return and reiterates its call on the government of Burma/Myanmar to afford him all possible assistance, access and freedom of action in order to carry out his mandate," EU ministers said in a statement.

The government officials also reiterated their calls for "meaningful dialogue" between the regime and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and for all political prisoners to be freed.