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Burma's main opposition party has decided to re-register as a political party and take part in future elections, in what is seen as a possible sign of political reconciliation under the new civilian government.

The decision was made Friday by more than 100 members of the National League for Democracy , headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, at a party meeting in Rangoon.

Burma's former military rulers de-listed the NLD last year after it decided to boycott general elections because of restrictive electoral laws. The government said no one with a criminal record — including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest at the time — could take part in politics.

Burma repealed the ban last week. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has not confirmed whether she will run for office.

The European Union applauded the NLD's decision and said a review of its policy towards the reclusive Asian nation was underway.

In 1990, the NLD won a landslide election, but Burma's military government refused to recognize the results. For the next two decades, it heavily suppressed the party's activities, throwing many of its members in prison. Aung San Suu Kyi spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention before being released from house arrest a year ago.