"Burma at a crossroads"
12/04/2010 //
Norwegian state secretary Gry Larsen visited Burma for high-level talks in the beginning of April 2010. During the week long visit Larsen met with government officials, pro-democracy representatives, representatives from UN organisations and with norwegian organizations based in Burma.
At the start of her visit Larsen said in a speeech that she “will focus on the opportunities for addressing poverty and increasing wealth". In the same speech she also said that " At the same time as we set clear demands, we must also make it clear that developments in the right direction will be met in a constructive way by the international community. The Burmese authorities are at a crossroads. If they choose the way to democracy and growth, the international community will strengthen its political and economic cooperation with the country. This is what we want to happen. We must therefore consider whether our current approach is having the desired effect, whether it is fostering change."
To read Gry Larsen's full speech click here.