Canada is lifting a number of sanctions against Myanmar as a sign of good faith that the formerly repressive nation is on the path to positive change, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Tuesday.
Baird announced that Canada was following the example set by the European Union earlier this week and had lifted prohibitions on imports and exports in Myanmar, also known as Burma, as well as on financial transactions.
But an arms trade prohibition is still in place.
"This is progress but much more remains to be done. The reforms today are still in my judgement fragile," Baird said.
However, he noted that political prisoners have recently been freed and parliamentary byelections held in early April appeared to be free of intimidation and interference.
In those historic byelections, former political prisoner Aung Sang Suu Kyi won a parliamentary seat after years of house arrest, marking a major democratic milestone for the country.
Baird visited Myanmar in March and met with Suu Kyi, delivering to the government books on Canada's democratic system and offering Canada's help in mentoring the young democracy.
Baird personally named Suu Kyi as an honorary Canadian citizenship during his visit.
"Aung Sang Suu Kyi's relentless fight for the people of Burma is absolutely inspiring," Baird said Tuesday.
He said Myanmar is one of the "best examples in the modern era" where international sanctions have led to positive change.
"We hope the political reforms will lead to an opening up of the economy and that will be good for the Burmese people," Baird said.
During his visit to Myanmar, Baird also met with the country's new, reform-minded civilian leadership.
At the time he said the changes taking place were positive but that it was too soon to ease sanctions on the South Asian country.
