London, Jun 21: Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is a “symbol of hope” for people striving for democracy, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said today as he praised her and the country's President for the bravery and vision shown by them.
“She is a symbol of hope to all those people around the world striving for democracy. The progress we have seen in Burma is testament to the bravery and vision shown by Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein”, Hague said after meeting Suu Kyi.
“They have embarked on a process of reform that could bring genuine democracy to Burma. The fact that Aung San Suu Kyi now feels able to leave Burma and return to the UK for the first time since 1988 is a signal to the world of how much the situation in Burma has changed,” he added.
Noting that Myanmar continued to “face many challenges”, Hague said he discussed with Suu Kyi the UK's support for the reform process and desire to help the people of Burma achieve economic development, entrench the rule of law, build democratic institutions and end ethnic conflict.
During the day today, Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prime Minister David Cameron and the International Development secretary Andrew Mitchell.
She will address parliament in the Westminster Hall in a rare honour usually accorded to iconic current or former heads of state (she is neither).
