The European Union has expanded sanctions, reports Al Jazeera, to include the state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, a joint venture partner in all offshore gas projects in Myanmar, including the Yadana gas field. Total Energies and Chevron recently pulled out of the Yadana project.
Burma Campaign UK welcomed the latest announcement, noting it was the first time sanctions had been imposed by the EU that were not in response to a specific atrocity.
“These sanctions are significant and welcome,” said Anna Roberts, Burma Campaign UK’s executive director. “By targeting the oil and gas sector the EU has leapfrogged the USA, targeting one of the main sources of revenue for the military. The USA, which has broader sanctions powers than the EU, must follow.”