“Norway deeply deplores the Burmese authorities’ extension of the house arrest imposed on Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“Norway calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi. This would be an important step towards reconciliation and democratic development in Burma,” said Mr Støre.

“It is deplorable that Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, National League for Democracy (NLD), will not be included when the constitutional process resumes on 5 November,” said Mr Støre.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Norway has been engaged in promoting democracy in Burma for a number of years and has repeatedly called for national reconciliation and respect for human rights.

“We urge the Burmese authorities to enter into dialogue with opposition groups and ethnic minorities. This can pave the way for an inclusive reconciliation and democratisation process in Burma. There is no doubt that releasing Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi would be a clear signal of the Burmese authorities’ will to facilitate such a process,” the Foreign Minister concluded.