William Hague has become the first British Foreign Secretary to visit Burma for more than 50 years in a move intended to bolster the country's budding reform process.
New president Thein Sein last year unexpectedly embarked on a series of liberalising measures, including opening talks with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, releasing more than 200 political prisoners, and legalising trade unions.
Speaking after his meetings with the Burmese goverment, Hague said he emphasised his hope that the government would make "further progress in the weeks and months ahead".
“I made clear that the British government expects to see the release of all political prisoners, credible by-elections in April, and a genuine alleviation of the suffering in ethnic areas, including through humanitarian access and peace talks.
"I spoke of the long-standing friendship that exists between our two peoples, one that can and should form the foundation of improved relations across the board between our two countries. I made clear that the British government stands ready to respond positively to evidence of further progress towards that lasting improvement in human rights and political freedom that the people of Burma seek.”
Critics however caution that significant numbers of political prisoners remain behind bars, despite government promises to free them, while reports of abuses against ethnic minorities continue.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy has now re-registered as a political party and will contest a series of 48 parliamentary by-elections due to take place on April 1, in what is being seen as an important test of the reform process.
In an interview with the BBC Sang Suu Kyi said she believed her country would hold democratic elections "in my lifetime".
Britain is also pushing for a process of national reconciliation to end the fighting between the government and the country's ethnic minorities, such as the Kachins, and to bring them into the mainstream political process.