First EU official off to Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls

BRUSSELS: Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros to the country.

While calling for free and fair polls that "bring more unity," Andris Piebalgs, the European Union development commissioner, said the EU would not be sending observers to the April 1 by-elections.

"There is a lot of opening and a very promising dynamic in Myanmar, even if it is still fragile," Piebalgs said in an interview before travelling to Myanmar on Saturday in the first trip by a top EU official since reforms began there.

"We'll pass the message that we have noticed it and appreciate what is being done, and what still has to be done," he said, adding that more political prisoners could be released.

"The elections will be crucial for the credibility of the change," the commissioner added.

After nearly half a century of outright military rule in the country formerly known as Burma, the regime has surprised observers with a series of reforms culminating recently with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi standing for a seat in parliament. (AFP)