Boris Johnson arrives in Burma to promise Britain’s ‘fullest support’ in democracy transit

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Boris Johnson promised Britain's fullest support to Myanmar's transit to democracy

Mr Johnson’s two-day trip was the first to the former British colony which calls itself Myanmar by a British foreign minister in five years.

He was meeting figures including leader Aung San Suu Kyi – the country’s de facto leader although its constitution forbids her from becoming president.

She was kept under house arrest for 15 years by the former military regime but in November 2015 led her National League for Democracy party to a majority in the country’s first openly contested election in 25 years.

She has faced international criticism for her handling of a crisis in the country’s Rakhine state populated by Rohingya Muslims where soldiers have blocked access for aid workers and are accused of raping and killing civilians.

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Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's facto leader, met with Mr Johnson during

Mr Johnson was also meeting representatives of ethnic minorities.

In a statement ahead of his visit, Mr Johnson said: “Burma’s transition to democracy is not yet complete but it is worth reflecting on just how far Burma has come since Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party took office just nine months ago.

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The visit was the first by a British Foreign Secretary for five years

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British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson addresses the press after a meeting with the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault at Quai d'Orsay on July 28, 2016 in Paris, France

“It is clear that many challenges remain and full reform will take time.

“The UK, as a longstanding and long term friend to Burma, will continue to offer its fullest support.

“I look forward to seeing Burma continue to develop into a country where there is peace and prosperity for all its people.”

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