SINGAPORE: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he will visit Myanmar "probably" next month as he urged international support for reforms in the country.
"I have visited Myanmar twice as secretary general, and I am going to visit Myanmar soon, probably next month," he said in a lecture to government officials, diplomats and academics during a visit to Singapore.
Ban had said in Malaysia on Thursday his visit to Myanmar will likely be after the by-elections scheduled for April 1, but he did not give a specific timeframe.
Ban said he was "encouraged" by recent reforms implemented by President Thein Sein and urged the global community to help Myanmar as it prepares to assume the rotating leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.
"Myanmar still faces many challenges and will need our support along the way," he said.
Australia said it will send a five-person delegation to observe by-elections in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the government in Yangon had invited the team, which is expected to join observers from other nations, including the United States, in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
"We have repeatedly encouraged the Burmese government to ensure these by-elections are free and fair -- and this is an encouraging start," Carr said in a statement.
"Australia hopes to see further and more comprehensive election observation missions as Burma's democracy matures."
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"I have visited Myanmar twice as secretary general, and I am going to visit Myanmar soon, probably next month," he said in a lecture to government officials, diplomats and academics during a visit to Singapore.
Ban had said in Malaysia on Thursday his visit to Myanmar will likely be after the by-elections scheduled for April 1, but he did not give a specific timeframe.
Ban said he was "encouraged" by recent reforms implemented by President Thein Sein and urged the global community to help Myanmar as it prepares to assume the rotating leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014.
"Myanmar still faces many challenges and will need our support along the way," he said.
Australia said it will send a five-person delegation to observe by-elections in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the government in Yangon had invited the team, which is expected to join observers from other nations, including the United States, in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
"We have repeatedly encouraged the Burmese government to ensure these by-elections are free and fair -- and this is an encouraging start," Carr said in a statement.
"Australia hopes to see further and more comprehensive election observation missions as Burma's democracy matures."
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Create here
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