British prime minister David Cameron paved the way for Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Britain as he backed easing sanctions against Burma yesterday.
Standing alongside the opposition leader in the garden of the lakeside villa where she spent 15 years under house arrest, Mr Cameron invited her to come to London in June.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has previously refused to leave the country for fear she would not be allowed back in.
However, she indicated a growing confidence in the good faith of President Thein Sein by saying she was considering accepting the offer.
“Two years ago, I would have said thank you for the invitation but sorry,” Ms Suu Kyi said. “Now I am able to say perhaps. That is great progress.”
In the Burmese capitial Mr Cameron congratulated the government for pushing through reforms, including releasing political prisoners and holding parliamentary byelections this month that saw Ms Suu Kyi’s party win 43 seats.
He then headed to Rangoon, where he met Ms Suu Kyi for talks. – (PA)