The European Commission has called for an urgent meeting of EU ministers in charge of humanitarian aid for today to beef up the EU response to the Myanmar emergency, the Commission said in a statement.

Louis Michel, commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, intends to travel to the cyclone-hit Asian country immediately after the meeting.

"There, he will meet with the Burmese authorities to discuss the best way forward to bringing international assistance to the affected population," the Commission said yesterday.

Myanmar's reclusive military government is accepting aid from the outside world, including the UN, but will not let in foreign logistics teams, who were queuing up in Bangkok hoping to get visas from the Myanmar embassy.

The Commission said it and the EU ministers would try to identify and coordinate the best means of mobilising and delivering humanitarian assistance.

"It is our sincere wish to work in close cooperation with the Burmese authorities to urgently alleviate the sufferings of the Burmese people affected by the cyclone", Commissioner Mr Michel said in the statement.

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