European Union foreign ministers including Italy's Angelino Alfano on Monday at a summit in Brussels decided to cancel invitations to Myanmar's top military officials citing the army's "disproportionate use of force" against minority Rohingya Muslims in the country's Rakine State.
"In the light of the disproportionate use of force carried out by the security forces, the EU and its member states will suspend invitations to the Commander-in-chief of the Myanmar/Burma armed forces and other senior military officers and review all practical defence cooperation," the European Council, said in a statement.
"The Council may consider additional measures if the situation does not improve but also stands ready to respond accordingly to positive developments," added the statement from the EU's executive body.
The EU foreign ministers urged Myanmar (also known as Burma) engage in dialogue with its neighbouring countries, in particular Bangladesh, where over half a million mainly stateless Rohingya have crossed the border since 25 August to escape what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing by Burmese security forces.
"The EU appreciates the constructive role played by Bangladesh under difficult circumstances," the European Council stated.
