The European Union has demanded "free and unfettered" access to disaster-hit Burma to speed emergency aid relief to victims of the cyclone.

A statement agreed between EU development ministers meeting in Brussels emphasised the motive was humanitarian and not political.

Immediately after the talks the strongly-worded plea was on its way to Burma - conveyed by EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel on a personal mission to persuade the authorities to open up the country to outside help.

The UK's International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said there was reason to believe the message would be heard - because there were already signs that more aid flights were being allowed in.

Speaking after the talks, he said the EU was showing solidarity in urging the Burmese regime to accept help, and also urging powerful countries in the region, particularly China and India, to use their influence to get Burma to open its doors.

The EU statement insists that, if Burma accepts the need for European help, any humanitarian aid will be "entirely neutral, impartial and independent".

The wording is designed to appease Burmese concerns of any political agenda in offering help.

Mr Michel has left Brussels for Burma with no guarantee of getting into the country. Without a visa his first port of call was Bangkok. EU officials said he would stay in the Thai city if necessary until given clearance to enter Burma and discuss the crisis with the authorities.

The next formal EU meeting to discuss the crisis will be in 10 days when EU foreign ministers are due to assess the situation.

The hope is that by then aid will be flowing in significant volumes. If not, the prospect of joining an enforced airlift of help has not been ruled out.