Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said she will pledge further economic support to Burma, providing that the Burmese regime does more to protect ethnic groups and holds fair elections next year, during a visit to Berlin by President Thein Sein.
"Myanmar is a country with many ethnic groups and for economic growth, peace is of course required, and peace requires compromise and tolerance with regard to minorities," she said, while hailing "democratic progress" in the country, notably in the area of press freedom.
"We expressed our hope that the elections will be free, fair and transparent," she said of her talks with Sein.
The Burmese president stressed the need for economic success in order to solve the country’s issues.
"If we have economic success, then democratisation is easier," he said. He also pointed out Myanmar's three years of democracy had seen many difficulties "but we have nevertheless been able to carry out this enormous democratic process without spilling blood".
Rohingya excluded from Burma census (19 August 2014)