France's foreign minister met democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi today during a historic visit to assess the Burmese regime's commitment to change after a string of dramatic reforms.
Alain Juppe, who arrived in Burma's main city Rangoon yesterday, is the highest level French diplomat to visit the military-dominated nation, long criticised by the West for its human rights record.
He has awarded the Nobel laureate with one of France's highest honours, Commander in the National Order of the Legion d'Honneur, in recognition of her long struggle for democracy.
Juppe will also hold talks with President Thein Sein, whose government is eager to see the end of sanctions imposed on the regime by the US and the EU since the late 1990s.
Juppe wanted to encourage the government "to continue and amplify" the reform process with steps towards human rights, democracy and national reconciliation, his ministry said last week.
He will also insist that parliamentary by-elections on 1 April are held "in a manner consistent with democratic practices" after a general election in November 2010 that was denounced by the West as a sham.
After nearly five decades of outright military rule, the junta was replaced in March last year by a nominally-civilian government, still dominated by former generals.
The regime has surprised observers with a series of reformist moves, including dialogue with Suu Kyi's opposition.
On Friday Burma - also known as Myanmar - released about 300 political prisoners, including several prominent dissidents.
Such an amnesty had been long demanded by the West and was hailed by the international community. F
France welcomed such an "important step" and the US said it wanted to restore top-level diplomatic ties.
