This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/13/theresa-may-meets-myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Theresa May meets Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi thanks Theresa May for UK support
(about 7 hours later)
Theresa May has met Myanmar’s Nobel laureate and state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in London for discussions about the country’s transition to civilian government. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s Nobel laureate and state counsellor, thanked Theresa May for “Britain’s friendship and support” during her country’s political transition after years of military dictatorship, Downing Street has revealed.
As she arrived at Downing Street, the de-facto leader of Myanmar remarked that the prime minister must be “extremely busy” with plans to leave the European Union. A spokesperson said the pair “briefly discussed Brexit” during a meeting in London as part of the politician’s first visit outside Asia since her National League for Democracy party’s historic election victory late last year.
May admitted there was “certainly a lot to do” as she greeted Aung San Suu Kyi, and congratulated her on Myanmar’s transition from military rule after the victory of her National League for Democracy party in the 2015 elections, creating the first civilian government in five decades. As she arrived at Downing Street, the de facto leader of Myanmar remarked that the prime minister must be “extremely busy” with plans to leave the European Union.
May admitted there was “certainly a lot to do” as she greeted Aung San Suu Kyi and congratulated her on Myanmar’s transition from military rule after the election victory created the first civilian government in five decades.
“Aung San Suu Kyi thanked the prime minister for Britain’s friendship and support. The prime minister said we stood ready to provide further assistance as Burma continues to develop, including through £118m in support this year,” the spokesperson said.
“They agreed that to create a society that truly works for all, it would be important to see Burma make further progress in the creation of jobs, in improving access to quality healthcare, and on reforming the education system.”
May raised concerns about human rights abuses in the Burmese military, before the pair turned to Britain’s exit of the EU, agreeing about the “importance of the UK remaining an outward-facing, engaged country on the world stage”.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent years under house arrest, was given the specially created role of state counsellor because her two sons’ British citizenship prevented her from becoming president under the military-era constitution.Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent years under house arrest, was given the specially created role of state counsellor because her two sons’ British citizenship prevented her from becoming president under the military-era constitution.
Her leadership has been chequered, with international concerns being raised about the plight of Rohingya Muslims, and the leader herself being criticised for failing to tackle hate crime and institutional discrimination against the minority community. Her leadership has been chequered, with international concerns being raised about the plight of Rohingya Muslims and the leader herself being criticised for failing to tackle hate crime and institutional discrimination against the minority community.
Amnesty International had called for the prime minister to raise the issue with Aung San Suu Kyi. The rights group’s foreign affairs adviser Polly Truscott said the Myanmar government’s “failure to address their suffering is a stain on its international reputation”.
On Monday, Aung San Suu Kyi met the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, who raised the issue of human rights and supported the establishment of the Rakhine commission, led by the former UN chief Kofi Annan, to examine discrimination against the Rohingya community.On Monday, Aung San Suu Kyi met the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, who raised the issue of human rights and supported the establishment of the Rakhine commission, led by the former UN chief Kofi Annan, to examine discrimination against the Rohingya community.
“It’s a great pleasure to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and congratulate her in person on her victory in the November 2015 elections and forming Burma’s first civilian government for over 50 years,” Johnson said in a statement after the talks. “The Burmese transition to democracy is an historic achievement.“It’s a great pleasure to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and congratulate her in person on her victory in the November 2015 elections and forming Burma’s first civilian government for over 50 years,” Johnson said in a statement after the talks. “The Burmese transition to democracy is an historic achievement.
“The courage and sacrifice of the Burmese people, not least of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself, has led to a major shift from military dictatorship to a more civilian, democratic and accountable government.“The courage and sacrifice of the Burmese people, not least of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself, has led to a major shift from military dictatorship to a more civilian, democratic and accountable government.
“The UK is pleased to have played an important role in bringing about Burma’s emergence from decades of repression and isolation. We remain committed to supporting Burma’s extraordinary reforms and we welcome a democratic, stable and prosperous Burma that can contribute to stability and security in south-east Asia and beyond.”“The UK is pleased to have played an important role in bringing about Burma’s emergence from decades of repression and isolation. We remain committed to supporting Burma’s extraordinary reforms and we welcome a democratic, stable and prosperous Burma that can contribute to stability and security in south-east Asia and beyond.”