Niebel begins Myanmar tour

Germany is set to deepen its development presence in Myanmar and boost aid to the Southeast Asian nation, according to Development Minister Dirk Niebel, who began a three-day tour of the country and neighboring Laos on Sunday.

The visit is the first by a German cabinet member since the relative opening of the secluded, formerly military-ruled country of around 60 million people.

Niebel said Myanmar could expect a continued easing of international sanctions if it maintained its current political trajectory.

"If these good impressions are confirmed during my trip, we can begin to expand Germany's development engagement step by step," Niebel said.

European Union sanctions, in force since the early 1990s, prohibit Germany from engaging directly in development work with the Burmese government.

The nominally civilian administration of President Thein Sein has instigated promising democratic reforms since coming to power in 2010, including releasing political prisoners and opening dialogue with the Burmese opposition and persecuted democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Down to business

Traveling with a business and economic delegation, Niebel kicked off his trip with a tour of projects run by aid and development NGOs Malteser International and Welthungerhilfe.

Niebel pledged Germany's continued support for the work done by the organizations in Myanmar. The Development Ministry offers funding to NGO projects in Myanmar covering health, education, food security and rural development. It has a budget of 19 million euros ($25 million) for 2010-13.

Niebel is also scheduled to meet with Suu Kyi during his visit - an appointment that would have been unthinkable under the former military junta.

After spending much of the last 20 years under house arrest, Suu Kyi was released from detention in November 2010. She registered earlier this month to run in April by-elections for the National League for Democracy party.

dfm/ccp (AP, dpa)