Myanmar on Tuesday pardoned dozens of political prisoners, activists said, a day after the European Union agreed to end almost all sanctions against the former pariah state.

At least 59 political prisoners were included in the latest amnesty, Bo Kyi of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners told AFP.

"More than 200 political prisoners are still in prison," he added.

The amnesty included 40 former rebels from eastern Shan state jailed for drug trafficking, he said, describing them as "victims of politics."

Another activist, Nyan Lin from the 88 Generation group, confirmed that at least 30 political prisoners were released.

A Myanmar government official told AFP that in a total of 93 inmates, including three foreigners, were pardoned, but did not identify them.

AFP