By Bangkok Post May 12, 2014 BRUSSELS - European Union foreign ministers agreed Monday to hold regular discussions on human rights issues with Myanmar and help bring the former pariah state into line with international standards. The bloc has gradually expanded its contacts with Myanmar since the military-backed government began introducing reforms and released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after 15 years of house arrest. But Myanmar's human rights record remains a cause for concern, notably over a recent hike in anti-Muslim violence, for the most part directed against the Rohingya Muslim minority group in the Rakhine State. The human rights dialogue with Myanmar will include annual meetings between top diplomats from both sides to discuss "issues of mutual interest related to human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law," the EU wrote in a statement. The agreement also lists 21 benchmarks for Myanmar to meet. These include the ad