Friday, March 31, 2017

Performances in One- Year Period




March 30, 2017

MOFA- defending the interests of the nation and its people on the front lines of the international arena

Article – Khin Yadana Photo – May Oo Moe – MOI

This period marks the auspicious 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on 17th March 1947, as well as the one year in office of the new Government.


Defending and promoting the national interest

A country which has independence and sovereignty has the right to conduct foreign relations. As foreign relations plays a crucial role in defending and promoting the national interest, every country formulates its foreign policy based on and as an extension of its domestic policy.

The main duty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to defend and promote the national interest and to protect the interests of the people. That is why during the one year term of the new Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been pursuing the “people-centered diplomatic relations” approach which regard the people’s interest as top priority.

State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has given guidance that also as a good diplomat, he or she needs to consider not also the interests of own country but also the host country. Moreover, he or she needs to protect not only the interests of Myanmar citizens but also the interests of former Myanmar citizens and to treat them in a warm and friendly manner with a family spirit. The conduct and practice of diplomacy are to safeguard the sovereignty and national interest of the State and solve problems on the front line of international arena.

If diplomacy fails, the State may have to resort to war, that is why diplomacy is crucial.

It has been learnt from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the duty of diplomats was to use their intellectual and negotiations skills in the international arena to negotiate and solve problems that might have originated in their home countries.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Tin said, “foreign relations is a process, and therefore just as there are positive developments that are visible, there are also positive developments which cannot yet be shown.”

It has been learnt that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged for the visits of leaders and high-level delegations for the promotion of friendship and cooperation between Myanmar and other countries of the world. Furthermore, it has worked for increased and active participation in regional and international organizations. It has also put more efforts into cooperation with other countries to obtain technical, management skills and other forms of assistance for Myanmar’s transition towards democracy, the Peace Process and development.

Foreign Policy

The vision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which keeps at the forefront, is to promote the interests of the State and its citizens. It is implementing an active, independent and nonaligned foreign policy. In the conduct of its foreign policy, it adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.

Goals and Objectives of the Ministry

The first year period of the new government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set two major goals and working extensively in achieving them. First is to promote friendly relations and to strengthen cooperation with all countries in the world and second is to uplift the image of Myanmar and her people at the international level.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stated that “in working for first goal , promoting friendly relations and cooperation with all the countries in the world, we have worked towards resolving human rights challenges while at the same time making sure that it would not harm our work in the area of National Reconciliation. During the new administration, Myanmar has been able to adopt an entirely new approach towards human rights. Under the new government, we were able to show that it places a high regard for human rights values. Instead of using confrontation, we have adopted a more positive and cooperative approach”.

For the achievement of the second goal, Myanmar has participated actively in international and regional organizations, showed her commitments by signing and ratifying the international conventions on Human Rights and Disarmament, and had increased efforts to protect the interest of Myanmar nationals and thus uplift the image of Myanmar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has carried out the said duties in close consultation and coordination with its seven departments, Embassies, Missions, and Consulates-General.

Promotion of friendly relations with all countries of the world

Geographically, Myanmar serves as a bridge between South-east Asia and South Asia. From the viewpoint of geopolitics, Myanmar is strategically located between the two most populous and economically powerful countries in the region, the People’s Republic of China and India, and also shares borders with them.

Therefore, to promote and defendthe national interest, Myanmar has been able to maintain friendly relations not only with neighbouring countries but also with her traditional and new development partners which support her the path towards democracy. It is also learnt that during the first year of the new Government, in its efforts to promote friendship with other countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged visits of the Heads of State and Government and High-Level Delegations from Myanmar and vice-versa, in a balanced manner.

President U Htin Kyaw paid friendly visits to Laos, India, Vietnam and Cambodia in 2016- 2017 . He also visited Russia to attend the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of ASEAN-Russia Relations, to Mongolia for the Asia-Europe (ASEM) 11th Summit Meeting, and to Thailand to sign the Condolence Book on the passing away of the King of Thailand.

The State Counsellor visited the countries in the eastern hemisphere namely Thailand, People’s Republic of China, Japan, Singapore and India. She also visited countries in the west namely the UK and USA. During her official visit to the United States of America, she also attended the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly . Moreover, State Counsellor also participated in thethe BRICS-BIMSTEC Summit meeting held in Goa, India.

During the 2016-2017 period, leaders from Singapore, Mongolia, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia visited Myanmar. In addition to this, Foreign Ministers from China, Canada, Italy, United States of America, India, Japan, Thailand, France, United Kingdom and Ukraine paid visits to Myanmar, totaling 20 visits at the Foreign Ministers level . It is also learnt that many high-level delegations from many countries are scheduled to visit Myanmar in the near future.

The President chose to pay a visit to Laos in 2016 as his first state visit because of the fact that Laos has assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN. This shows that Myanmar places great value on her relations with ASEAN.

Friendly visits of significant benefits

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs further explained that during the visit of the State Counsellor to the People’s Republic of China the following had been accomplished: Cooperation in the Economic and Technology sectors, building of the Kunloon bridge, donation of US$ 3 million for Myanmar’s peace process, agreement reached for financial assistance of Chinese Yuan 1000 million for the health, education, agriculture, border area development sectors. Also, a mechanism was also established for China-Myanmar Foreign and Defence Ministries to have (2+2) high-level meetings.

So far, China-Myanmar (2+2) high-level meetings have been held for two times and matters relating to peace and stability in the border areas, the rule of law, joint resolution of border problems, and China to provide constructive assistance for the success of the peace process have been discussed.

In the area of Myanmar’s relations with India, friendly visits have been made by the President and State Counsellor to India, thus creating warm and friendly relations; from their side in accordance with the “Neighborhood First Policy”, they have given great emphasis to relations with Myanmar. During the President’s visit to India, MoU’s (Memorandums of Understanding) were signed for the building and upgrading of bridges and bridge approach slabs for the section of the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa Trilateral Highway in Myanmar and cooperation in the area of traditional medicine and renewable energy. Also, during the friendly visit of the State Counsellor to India, three MoU’s were successfully signed. The new government also reached an agreement with India to discuss long-standing agreements and matters relating to border affairs in a spirit of cooperation and consultation.

It is also learnt that during the visit of the State Counsellor to Thailand, Agreement on Border Crossing between the Two Countries, MoU on Labour Cooperation and Agreement on Employment of Workers were signed between the two countries .Other matters accomplished after consultation and cooperation were Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, and the reactivation of the matters which have been left pending for a long time such as boundary demarcation works.

During the visit of the State Counsellor to Singapore agreements were reached for the MoU extension of the Singapore-Myanmar Vocational Training Institute Agreement, Amendment of the Double Taxation Agreement between the two countries to be in conformity with the times, to give permission to Singaporean Airline “Silk Air” for stopover rights to run the Singapore-Yangon-Mandalay sector for a temporary test period of six months, signing of an agreement for Investment Promotion in both countries.

Also during the visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore to Myanmar, a MoU for the grant of 30 days entry visas to holders of ordinary passports was signed. This agreement has entered into force since1 December 2016.

During the visit of the State Counsellor to Japan, the following agreements were reached: financial assistance of Japanese Yen 40 billion to support the democratization process in Myanmar and the National Reconciliation efforts -and financial assistance for the balanced development of urban and rural areas from the Japanese government and Japanese private sector investments totaling Japanese Yen 800 billion during a five-year period, During the term of the new Government, the US-Myanmar relations was categorized as relationships among partners, and a new era of relations was opened. It has been learnt that during the visit to the USA of the State Counsellor, US-Myanmar relations was upgraded to the level of partners by providing support for human rights and the transition towards democracy and by reinforcing the friendly relations and elevating it to a higher level.

In October 2016, the US government terminated the,National Emergency on Myanmar and the President revoked the Executive Order-based framework of the sanctions programe and lifted all sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the issuance of four Presidential Executive Orders. In addition, GSP – Generalized System of Preferences privileges were restored.

In accordance with the Myanmar-US Friendship and Partnership Agreement, the first Myanmar-US Partnership Meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 15 November 2016.

With regard to the European countries, Myanmar held Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with Switzerland and the Czech Republic during the one year period of the new government The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the donation from the European countries to the Joint Peace Fund, has made arrangements for the exchange of good experiences for the Myanmar Peace Process and has made arrangements for members of organizations working for the peace process to go on field trips.

Diplomatic relations with over 120 countries

During the term of the new government, all necessary internal arrangements were made for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Guinea, Ecuador, Seychelles, Liberia, Holy See (Vatican), Malta, and the Marshall Islands. After that , the submission was made to the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw. Since approval had been received for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the said countries, Myanmar will now have diplomatic relations with 120 countries.

Continued participation within ASEAN

Myanmar has been a member of ASEAN for the past 20 years. For nearly two decades, continued criticism and pressure were exerted on ASEAN because of Myanmar’s human rights and democracy record. It was thus believed within ASEAN that Myanmar was a hindrance to ASEAN’s efforts for the promotion of cooperation with Western countries. Now, Myanmar has transformed into a democratic nation, and has become the countries with the most political and media freedoms among ASEAN member states, it may have been seen that the participation of Myanmar in ASEAN has gained the high regard of other countries in the world.

In July 2016, the State Counsellor and Union Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid a visit to Laos, Vientiane to attend the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and other related meetings. In September 2016, she also attended the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit Meetings and other related meetings.

Among the ASEAN countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of another country is the most important principle position. Although member countries are supposed to solve problems through consultations and negotiations, one ASEAN member country levelled criticisms and abuses against the Myanmar government in relation to the events that occurred in Maungtaw, Rakhine state. This is a deviation from the principles of ASEAN, and a situation has developed which can harm ASEAN unity and integrity.

Therefore, Myanmar hosted ofAMM Retreat in December 2016 in Yangon. The State Counsellor gave an informal briefing to ASEAN countries in a family spirit about the situation in Rakhine State. Therefore, the ASEAN countries welcomed Myanmar’s efforts to solve the problem in Rakhine state; it was possible to officially accept the humanitarian assistance sent by other ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs successfully negotiated and made arrangements for the Flotilla from Malaysia with activists on board to dock at the port of Yangon.

In January 2017, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attended the private informal meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers held on Boracay Island, Philippines and gave an informal briefing on the latest developments on Rakhine State issues.

Efforts made for the national interest at the United Nations

Cooperation with the United Nations is the cornerstone of Myanmar’s foreign policy. Given this, the State Counsellor attended the 71st UNGA – United Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2016 and delivered a policy statement represnting the Government of Myanmar. In a similar vein, a delegation led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attended the meeting of the Partnership Group on Myanmar and briefed them about Myanmar’s transition to democracy and efforts to promote human rights and how she was solving the remaining challenges. He also made a request to terminate the practice of submitting a draft resolution by EU – the European Union on Myanmar annually. As a result the EU decided not to submit the draft resolution on the situation of the human rights in Myanmar to the Third Committee of the Therefore the role of Mr.Vijay Nambiar, the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Myanmar was terminated.

As Myanmar had been working towards the signature and ratification of the International Conventions on human rights and disarmement . With regard to disarmament, the Instrument of Ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was deposited to the United Nations Treaty Section, in New York by the State Counsellor. It is learnt that Myanmar has ratified the CNS – Convention on Nuclear Safety and the CPPNM – Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

Myanmar is preparing to ratify the human rights conventions such as ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the “Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Moreover, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) , the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ( ICCPR ), and other international agreements on human rights are being studied, and workshops have been conducted to educate and create awareness.

Former UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon was invited to attend the First Meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Conference. During his stay, arrangements were made for the former UN Secretary-General to meet with leaders of various.

Rakhine State Issues – challenges and efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

National reconciliation and peace being main priority of the Union Government, therefore after taking over state responsibilities, the Government formed the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development of Rakhine State with the State Counsellor as Chairperson to seek short-term and longterm solutions for Rakhine State on 30 May 2016. Also, to assess the challenges in Rakhine State from an international perspective and to seek sustainable solutions, an Advisory Commission on Rakhine State was formed, and this Commission began work on the key tasks step by step, including verification of citizenship, to address the challenges in the Rakhine State .

While the Government was focusing its attention on the issues in the Rakhine State, starting from 9 October 2016 when terrorists launched armed attacks on border guard outposts, news media began to spread instigations regarding the area clearance operations conducted for security reasons. Thus Myanmar had to suffer increased pressure again . It has been observed that they have started to use United Nation Human Right Council and United Nation Security Council to exert more pressure on Myanmar.

Although Myanmar has received support and encouragement from the international community, on the international arena, it is now facing dangers which could ultimately pose a threat to national interests and sovereignty and pressures and challenges including the Rakhine state affairs.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been making concerted efforts to defend, respond and solve the problems. It is also approaching to win support for our cause.

In January 2017, the State Counsellor sent the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as her Special Envoy to Bangladesh to discuss border security of the two countries and ways to increase cooperation between the two countries. In this matter, Myanmar Ambassadors in key countries also approached their host governments to win their support.

In addition to this, a high-level delegation led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs was dispatched to attend the 34th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council where he delivered a speech and carried out individual approaches to win support.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stated, “As far as our Ministry is concerned, if there are any accusations upon us regarding human rights, including issues related to Rakhine State, we will make investigations and if proven to be correct, we will take necessary action against the perpetrators. However, if the intention is not to solve the problem but to intervene and complicate the efforts of the government and exert pressure on us, we will work in coordination with friendly countries and exert staunch and strenuous efforts to maintain our ground using diplomatic channels in the international arena.”

Increased Cooperation in the Region

Myanmar, a member country of ASEAN, is making preparations to join the India Ocean Rim Association, attending its meeting for the first time as an observer. In cooperation with Australia which is a partner country of ASEAN, Myanmar hosted the ASEAN-Australia Forum in March 2017.

And, Myanmar took the responsibility as the coordinator in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). It is learnt that Myanmar will be hosting the meeting of Foreign Ministers of ASEM, consisting of 53 countries, in forthcoming November.

Finding solutions to border issues

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead responsibility for solving border issues with five neighboring countries that share boundaries with us and boundary demarcation matters. Work has been commenced on the renewal of demarcation matters between Myanmar and Thailand which was suspended during the period of former governments, renewal of demarcation work between Myanmar and India and the matter of the Myanmar-Lao Friendship Bridge all of which have been prioritized.

Thai – Myanmar Border

Thai-Myanmar border line is 1318 miles long, however, only a 36 miles long section of Mae SaiMae Hok Creek has been demarcated, and the rest is left still to be surveyed during the time of previous governments due to unfavourable circumstances. State Counsellor, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi discussed the Thai-Myanmar boundary demarcation survey with the government of Thailand during her official visit to Thailand with the intention of leaving a real legacy for future generation.

The surveying work will start about 200 miles along Pakchan River and its northern watershed area. Now, the aerial survey has beenconducting and after getting the aerial photo map of that area, the ground survey will be carried out based on the agreement made during the British colonial era. Then boundary pillars will be erected by the combined team of two countries. Discussions with the Government of Thailand are now underway for signing an agreement.

Regulations specified for Thailand-Myanmar

Retaining Walls There were some disputes between the two countries concerning the border line in the river that change in flow direction of the river and the flood that occur due to human activities. The two countries have agreed to follow the regulations about the building of retaining walls as a preventive measure of river bank erosion with a view to solving the problems of the in-river boundary.

Myanmar-India Boundary Demarcation

Fencing along the border to prevent the buildings constructed by local Indians between boundary pillar 145 and 146 in Naga Land started in December 2016. However, the fencing works were stopped as the Indian government requested to carry out the fencing only after the erection of additional boundary pillars by the two sides. The Myanmar side has stopped the fencing operations temporarily and it is learnt that this work will be carried out jointly with the Indian side at the end of March 2017.

Demarcating the boundary on the Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge

Although the first Friendship Bridge over the Mekong river, which serves as a boundary between the two countries was completed in 2015, because there had been differences between the two countries with regard to the maintenance and issues of sovereignty, an agreement was reached in Nay Pyi Taw at a meeting held in August 2016 at the Ministerial-level meeting of the two countries, to show and put on record the border demarcation point in the river on the bridge itself.

Therefore, in order to embed the two boundary demarcation brass plates jointly on the Friendship Bridge and to redraw the marine map no. 12 which includes the bridge, a joint inspection of the bridge location was conducted. This was done to show clearly the border demarcation points on the bridge. This act would also help the local authorities to know clearly the extent of Myanmar’s sovereignty.

Effort made for Myanmar nationals living abroad

During the term of the current government elected by the people, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given clear instructions and guidance for Myanmar Embassies, Missions and Consulates-General to strive to transform themselves into “people-centered diplomats”, to work harder, free from bribery and corruption in protecting the interests of Myanmar nationals, to work continuously for establishment of warm and friendly relations with Myanmar nationals, to provide necessary assistance to Myanmar nationals even if they are serving sentences in foreign countries, because they are Myanmar nationals, to work for former Myanmar nationals living in foreign countries so that they could return to Myanmar and get a chance to participate in working for the country’s development.

Myanmar diplomatic missions have changed

Conferences for Myanmar Ambassadors have been successfully held once in Nay Pyi Taw and once in London to give them detailed briefings about the policy of the new Government. The Myanmar Embassies in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, have been working hard to find better procedures and methods to protect and assist Myanmar nationals. Although these efforts to assist and help Myanmar nationals is limited by the availability of funds and manpower and could not yet be provided as much as desired, the protection and help provided to Myanmar nationals has improved significantly compared to previous times.

Myanmar Migrant workers in Thailand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked together with Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population to assist more than 2 million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand to get equal rights with Thailand workers under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also arranged to issue passports at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok to Myanmar migrant workers who hold temporary passports and the citizen scrutiny card.

Besides, the Ministry has arranged to issue the Certificate of Identity-CI cards, which identify migrants in Thailand and register their workplaces, to Myanmar migrant workers.

The CI cards have been issued to Myanmar migrant worker in Samusakun, Suparakan, Maisei and Ranoung from 3rd March 2017 onward.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increased the manpower at the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to effectively carry out the labour issues.

Assisting the returnees in Thailand

Following the goodwill visit of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assisted the voluntary return of 169 Myanmar citizens who fled Myanmar for many years, and refuge in Thai side due to internal conflicts.

Support for Myanmar domestic workers in Singapore

Myanmar embassy in Singapore is working together with Singapore authorities and the Labour Union to give legal protection to Myanmar migrant workers including domestic workers against abuses and violation of labour rights.

Myanmar nationals at overseas detention camps brought back home

Since it took office one year ago, the government has made efforts to help Myanmar nationals who are staying in the detention camps in foreign countries as they cannot afford for costs to travel back to the country. AMore than 200 Myanmar fishermen who served prison term at the Port Blair of India were brought back by charter flight in the first one-year period of the incumbent government.

Similarly, 105 Myanmar fishermen who were trafficked to Indonesia and who were detained in Indonesia were brought back home.

Besides, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assisted to bring back 1,768 Myanmar nationals and seven babies detained at 11 camps in Malaysia.

Under the 100-day plan of the government, a total of 619 people were removed from the previous government’s blacklist. There were 248 Myanmar nations and 371 foreigners who were erased from the blacklist, and that scrutinising is underway to remove further people.

As part of efforts for encouraging Myanmar nationals in foreign countries to participate in nation building process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the relevent Ministeries has relaxed the social visa rules, which increase duration of stay from 28 to 70 days for single entry social visa and the days for multiple social entry visa are allowed three months, six months and one year.

Unnecessary procedures for foreign diplomats to be abolished

During the term of the incumbent government, services and procedures for foreign diplomats have been scrutinized with impractical ones revoked. Previously, diplomats and their family members holding diplomatic passports were authorized for three years of stay with renewal but now they have been given stay for the duration of their assignment. Similarly, special passport holders who used to be granted one year of stay are now permitted for stay for the duration of their assignment. Ordinary passport holders can now purchase one-time entry visas for a three-month stay.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also stated that procedures for travelling inside the country for foreign diplomats and embassy staffs had been mitigated except for certain restricted areas due to security concerns.

Moreover, and Lease Policy for the relocation of Diplomatic Mission to Nay Pyi Taw had been ratified for a smooth transition of embassies after the capital of Myanmar had been relocated to Nay Pyi Taw.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the oneyear term of the incumbent government, has successfully conducted diplomatic visits abroad as well as welcoming delegations to the country, attending as well as hosting international forums and conferences which have all helped to boost international relations with both neighbouring countries and around the world.

“We have to address the challenges and pressure from the international community concerning the situation in Rakhine. However, we were able to stop a draft resolution on Myanmar’s human rights situation at the General Assembly of the United Nations and were able to terminate the good offices role of the Secretary-General which was mandated by that resolution. There has been significant and visible progress such as the lifting of sanctions imposed upon Myanmar by the United States. I believe we were able to maintain good relations not only with geopolitically powerful nations but also with all countries in the world. That is not all, we also received encouragement and support from the international community for our transition to democracy and I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been able to coordinate with individual countries as well as with international organizations to obtain increased amounts of financial aid and technical support offered by them, for the peace process and the development of the country” said the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar

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