Relations between the European Union (EU) and Myanmar in 2011 are at their lowest ebb. The EU has maintained restrictive measures against Myanmar for over two decades, citing as justification egregious violations of human rights in the country and the lack of progress towards democratization. However, recent developments in Myanmar and the new environment in the EU present a window of opportunity for both Myanmar and the EU to drop the hubris of the past two decades and attempt a different approach.

In April 2011, at the annual review of the EU's sanctions policy on Myanmar, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Austria reportedly pushed for a new and pragmatic approach, while the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and others urged that sanctions be maintained. In the end, the sanctions were renewed, but a small concession was made by lifting the travel ban on some civilian leaders of Myanmar for one year, and a decision was taken to keep diplomatic channels open. An existing ban on EU officials visiting Myanmar was also lifted. But much more needs to be done. A letter dated 11 March 2011 that was sent by the Myanmar-based Group of Democratic Party Friends (GDPF) to the EU, urging it to lift the sanctions, reflects the growing opposition within Myanmar to the sanctions regime. The GDPF has also called on the EU to restore Myanmar's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status.

The Evolving Situation in Myanmar : EU Responses

Myanmar in 2011 is at a defining moment in its history. Elections have been held and the transition from military rule to a form of civilian government and constitutional rule has been initiated. On 30 March 2011, a new civilian government was sworn in. On the same day, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the military council that had ruled Myanmar for over two decades, was disbanded. Senior General Than Shwe, the head of the armed forces, and his deputy, Vice Senior General Maung Aye, have relinquished their posts. The National League for Democracy (NLD) leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has also been released from house arrest.