• Burmese
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
25 °c
Ashburn
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Thein Sein Talks Sanctions and Trade in Vienna

Patrick Boehler by Patrick Boehler
March 5, 2013
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Thein Sein Talks Sanctions and Trade in Vienna

Burma’s President Thein Sein at a press conference with the Austrian President Heinz Fischer. (Photo: Stephanie Strobl/HBF)

3.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

HONG KONG—President Thein Sein called for an end to European Union sanctions against Burma and welcomed investors to his nation during a two-day visit to Austria, which ended on Monday.

Fighting with the Kachin Independence Army had ceased, he said at a press conference with the Austrian President Heinz Fischer, adding that he could accept additions to the 2008 constitution to appease ethnic conflicts that have been ravaging the country for half a century.

Thein Sein met with the Austrian president as well as the Chancellor Werner Faymann and the Speaker of the Lower House Barbara Prammer on Monday during what has been the first visit of a Burmese President to the central European country.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Battles to Recapture Key Positions in Karen State

Myanmar Junta Battles to Recapture Key Positions in Karen State

June 25, 2025
22
Border Confusion as Thailand Shuts Land Crossings With Cambodia

Border Confusion as Thailand Shuts Land Crossings With Cambodia

June 25, 2025
87
TNLA Fights Off Myanmar Junta Assault

TNLA Fights Off Myanmar Junta Assault

June 24, 2025
892

After the talks, in which he has been pressed on the Kachin conflict and the plight of stateless Rohingya, Thein Sein participated at a business conference organized by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

A delegation of 40 Austrian companies had met up with Thein Sein in Naypyidaw a month ago, where an invitation to visit Austria had been extended to the president. During the visit, the Austrian turbine manufacturer Andritz opened a representative office in Rangoon. Thein Sein reinforced proof of Burmese interest by visiting two hydropower stations in Austria on Sunday, a day ahead of formal talks.

Bilateral trade with the landlocked European Union member state has been marginal at best and has reached around US$13 million last year, according to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The country is, however, a stakeholder in the European Union, where sanctions against the former military regime are still being partially enforced.

Thein Sein’s visit is “about drumming up business and, along the way, presenting a new face of the government of Burma to the Europeans,” said longtime Burma-watcher Sean Turnell at Macquarie University in Sydney. “Europe doesn’t carry much weight politically for Burma, but it remains the home of some vibrant companies. Of course, it’s a lucrative source of tourists too.”

The European Union’s representative to Burma, Andreas List, expected the sanctions to be completely lifted by the end of April, the Austrian daily Wiener Zeitung reported on Monday.

Thein Sein has left Austria for Belgium, where he is expected to hold talks with European Union representatives. Yet, as of Monday, an appointment with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso had not been guaranteed, according to Austrian media reports.

The president will conclude his 10-day trip through Europe in Italy at the end of the week. He has previously visited Norway and Finland.

Your Thoughts …
Patrick Boehler

Patrick Boehler

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.3k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public
Burma

Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public

by The Irrawaddy
February 7, 2024
89.5k

People’s Defense Force says junta troops told every household in the village to send one member to witness the double...

Read moreDetails
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks
Burma

Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks

by The Irrawaddy
December 4, 2023
59k

The junta said deserters would not be punished for minor crimes, highlighting the military’s shortage of troops as resistance offensives...

Read moreDetails
As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
46.9k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.7k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Despite Ceasefire

Despite Ceasefire, Shadow Hangs over Border Economic Prospects

The Chef Who Prepared Food Fit for The Lady

The Chef Who Prepared Food Fit for The Lady

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

6 days ago
894
How Myanmar Military Conscripts Child Soldiers

How Myanmar Military Conscripts Child Soldiers

24 hours ago
595

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Scrambles for Chinese Energy Investment as Lights Go Out

    Myanmar Junta Scrambles for Chinese Energy Investment as Lights Go Out

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TNLA Fights Off Myanmar Junta Assault

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How Myanmar Military Conscripts Child Soldiers

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Shan State Takes Center Stage in Myanmar Junta’s Election Push

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.