EU to step up sanctions against Myanmar

BRUSSELS - EU ambassadors agreed on Wednesday to toughen existing sanctions against Myanmar and explore other measures against its military junta after a bloody crackdown on protesters last week, an EU official said.

The European Union has a list of people and institutions targeted for visa bans, the freezing of assets or trade sanctions.

"The existing sanctions will be amplified, increased, adding names of individuals and state enterprises to the existing list," an EU official said after a meeting of the ambassadors to the European Union from member countries.

The decision by the ambassadors will take effect after being formalised at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in mid-October, the official said.

EU Commission experts will also be asked to look at further possible measures that could be taken against the military rulers of Myanmar, but which would not affect ordinary people.

Ahead of the meeting of foreign ministers, Commission officials have also been asked to look at ways to increase humanitarian aid to Myanmar.