April
6, 2017
A press
conference for the current government’s one-year performance was held yesterday
at 1pm at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw.
At the press
conference, U Kyaw Zeya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, talked about creating job opportunities with direct benefits for
citizens that involves communicating with international organizations and
promoting investment in regions with slow development.
During the
one-year period, efforts have been made on developing and maintaining
diplomatic relations with Myanmar’s neighboring countries, and those that have
supported Myanmar’s democratic transition.
The President
made diplomatic visits to Laos, India, Vietnam and Cambodia during the previous
year. He also attended the 60th anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia relations
ceremony held in Russia, the 11th Asia-Europe Summit in Mongolia, and attended
the condolence signing ceremony in Thailand after the passing of Thailand’s
King. The State Counsellor made diplomatic visits to Thailand, China, Britain,
America, India, Japan and Singapore during the previous year. Attendance were
also made to the 71st United Nations General Assembly in America, the
BRICS-BIMSTEC Summit in India, the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit Conference held
in Laos.
During the first
year term of the new government, discussions were made in the 2nd Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw 4th Regular Meeting to establish diplomatic relations with the seven
countries namely Guinea, Ecuador, Seychelles, Liberia, Vatican, Malta, and the
Marshall Islands, which will bring the number of countries Myanmar has
diplomatic relationships with up to 121.
Myanmar has been
collaborating with the UN, international and regional organizations, and has
been recognized for becoming the ASEAN country with the most freedom in the
area of the Press and Politics.
Myanmar was also
able to host a conference with ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 19 December 2016 and
have discussions about the incidents in Rakhine state. Myanmar also accepted
humanitarian aid from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Thailand, and
Malaysia via diplomatic channels.
Myanmar visited
the Indian Ocean Rim Association for the first time and is preparing to be
accepted as a member of the IORA, hosted the ASEAN-Australia Forum, took the
role of ASEAN chair in the Asia-Europe discussion group and will host the ASEM
Ministerial Meetings from 20-21 November 2017.
Concerning UN
relations, the State Counsellor delivered a policy
speech at the 71st UN General Assembly. The greatest achievement for Myanmar
was the finalization of the Human Rights Draft Proposal submitted yearly to the
Third Committee in EU since 1991, which after 2016 in the 71st UN General
Assembly was no longer required for submission.
Myanmar also
participated in the convention on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty – CTBT, the
convention on Nuclear Safety – CAN, and the convention on the Physical
Protection of Nuclear Material – CPPNM.
The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs also declared its position on the Rakhine crisis and stated
that it was not one of passive support to the government in solving the crisis
but rather standing firm with allied countries to prevent discord, pressure and
unnecessary interventions from outside.
Concerning
border affairs, the State Counsellor was able to achieve mutual agreement with
Thailand on beginning measurement of the Myanmar-Thai border, setting rules for
construction of embankments along the Myanmar-Thai border, clarifying the
Myanmar-India borderline, and clarifying the border on the Myanmar-Laos
Friendship Bridge.
Concerning aid
for Myanmar citizens in foreign countries, success was made in enabling Myanmar
immigrant workers in Thailand to receive full worker benefits, resettlement of
IDPs in Thai back to their home in Myanmar, support and protection for Myanmar
workers in Singapore, retrieval of Myanmar citizens from detention facilities,
lessening of entities from blacklists and extension of visas.
The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs has successfully increased diplomatic visits abroad, increased
cooperation with regional and international organizations and received
international funding, technology, aid, investment, promoted commerce and the
successful planning of handling the crisis in Rakhine while receiving
understanding from the international community.
Concerning
immigrant Myanmar citizens abroad, implementation strategies have been
researched to utilize the human resource of the immigrant Myanmar citizens for
the development of the nation and society, while developing the skills of
Myanmar’s Ambassadors to other countries.
Ministry of
Border Affairs
U Ye Naing,
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Border Affairs said, “The ministry has
been implementing the tasks of socio-economic development of border areas and
national ethnic people and development of human resources of national ethnic
people living in border areas. The department of border areas and development
of ethnic people has been performing the tasks of
building roads and bridges which are basic infrastructures urgently needed in
border areas, matters on education and health, availability of drinking water
and electrical power supply, providing food, shelter and clothing to displaced
people and tasks of building to help and support peace process.
The department
of education and training had opened University for the Development of the
National Races, Degree Colleges in Sagaing and Yangon for the capacity
development of national ethnic youths, 44 training school for the development
of national races in border areas, 48 domestic vocational training schools for
women, 9 technical training school for national races in border areas,
arranging to simultaneously employ them just after completion of the respective
trainings.”
He added,
“Remarkable performances of the ministry of the border affairs in one-year period were building
65-mile road Putao—Khaunglanphu road, Magweza—Khaunglanphu road, digging up
lakes in regions, irrigation from streams and creeks, digging artesian wells
and handdug wells, providing food and subsidies for helping peace process,
providing food for nationals in poor condition in border areas, building
bridges, roads, schools and rural health care units, arrangement of excursion
trips for national ethnic people— from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine,
Palaung and Danu. Degree-college for the capacity development of the national
races has accepted only male ethnic youths previously, now starting to accept
53 female trainees this year. Implementation of the development works were
being carried out not only with the allotted fund but also with the aids of
international cooperation—5 projects under bilateral cooperation program in one
year, 3 projects under the cooperation program with UN organizations, 9
projects under the cooperation program with INGOs, 17 projects in total. These
projects include agriculture, livestock breeding, education, health,
availability, abundance of food, eradication of opium plantation, increasing
family income and development of human resources.
Ministry of
Electric Power and Energy
U Htein Lwin, Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry of Electirc Power and Energy said, “Supplying
electric power was carried out by 3 sectors with a view to supplying more than
usual.
The first sector
was concerned with producing power. It has been implemented in many ways for
the availability of power needed. In producing electricity, some was produced
in distant areas with some produced in the near areas. Second sector was
concerned with sending produced power to other needed areas, with third sector
concerned with distribution of power to houses of the people. For electricity
to be delivered to a house or an industry, it is not possible to send
electricity without producing power. Without part of sending, supplying power
to the people is impossible. Without distribution, power consumption is
impossible. The ministry has been carrying out the 3 sectors in harmony. In the
period of one year, 301 mega watts were produced—78 megawatt from wastage used
thermal power plant in Mawlamyine in Mon State, 50 mega watt from Gas turbine
power plant in Thilawa, Yangon Region, 133 mega watt by operating gas-engine
from the gas of Shwe natural gas in Myingyan, Mandalay Region and 40 mega watt
from Myittha Hydro Power Plant. In supplying power, 230 KV & 66 KV power
transmission lines and power stations had to be installed. In one year period,
541 miles of 230 KV & 66 KV gridlines 18 transformers were built. Besides,
541 miles of 33/11 (400 volts) and 451 transformers had been built.
In the part of
power distribution, there were 3.7 million of households consuming power, out
of 10.8 million households in 2016, increasing 380000 households to amount to
4.8 million households. With the increasing distribution of electricity,
supplying power increased power in regions and states including Yangon and
Magway Regions. For increasing investment for availability of more power,
numbers of households did not increase remarkably, but power system is more
strengthened.
During the
one-year period concerning the energy sector, 12 inland oil refineries and 36
coastal oil refineries. Similarly, there was successful conversion of 143
diesel run vehicles to CNG fueled vehicles, issue of licenses to retailers of
LPG for wider distribution, and of the five kinds of licenses 468 (E) licenses
for stores, households and apartments were issued, and 201 (D) licenses for
storage and distribution of natural gas were issued as well, with continued
efforts being made for citizens to receive greater access to household-used
natural gases.
Additionally,
collaboration with a foreign company was made to distribute jet fuel to 11
airports, issuing free licenses of approval of privatized oil refineries to 156
individuals with approval from regional governments in the current year, and
approval for 256 motor oil distribution licenses.
There are
challenges in the electricity and energy sector such as supplying adequate
electricity to the public. Of the three sectors of production, supplying and distribution
of electricity, production is the most essential as the public has access to
only 25 per cent of electricity without production. The ministry has
collaborated with JICA on the National Electrification Master Plan for better
supplying of electricity. In today’s world, heat and hydro power are no longer
enough so reviews and strategies are always made to keep up with the growing
demand of electricity and power by the public.
Afterward the
officials answer the questions raised by the reporters.
Regarding the
question on whether other benefits were obtained by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
during the first year of a new government Permanent Secretary U Kyaw Zeya said
we have always explained about what has been done. A new approach was used in
promoting foreign relationship and was able to obtain more support and pledges
for assistant during official visits.
The most notable
performance by MOFA during the first year was the ending of the 25 years of
draft proposal submission on human rights situation in Myanmar by the European
Union. Similarly, outstanding successes were achieved by increasing mutual
understandings during the national leaders’ visits.
Questioned about
future foreign policy, Permanent Secretary U Kyaw Zeya said journalists and
international media were mainly reporting about the events of October in
Rakhine. But the events occurred not only in October but also in November as
well. The events threaten our country’s security and existence. We could not
yield in this matter for any reason.
There was an
attempt by European Union to submit a resolution to United Nations Human Rights
Council on this matter. We stated our position precisely on this matter. While
making constructive engagements, we will not yield on matters relating to
internal security of our country. In addition, we will increase our engagement
with countries that have understanding of us.
Questioned on
whether there is any change on the inclusion of ex-military officers in the
appointment of ambassadors by the previous government, the Permanent Secretary
U Kyaw Zeya said the appointment of ambassadors are decided by national level
leaders. Appointment as ambassador is mainly dependent on their ability, the
ability to protect our citizens and improving relationship between the two
countries.
On the question
of human rights situation in Myanmar and success in foreign relationship, he
said priority was given on the improvement and safeguarding of human rights by
the new government. Success was achieved because the State Counselor and
ambassadors work together handin-hand.
On the question
of handling diplomatically the fighting in the northern region, he said there
were some who seek refuge to neighboring country that cause some burden but we
are regularly engaged in this matter. Even though MOFA is not directly
connected to the matter, there were instances of assisting the related
ministries.
Answering
questions on the challenges to the Ministry of Border Affairs first year
performance, Permanent Secretary U Ye Naing said the ministry is satisfied with
all the regional development works it had conducted. The challenge to the
ministry is the long term maintaining of the achievements together with the
people.
Permanent
Secretary U Htein Lwin replied to the questions on performance in the electric
power and energy sector.
On the question
of using Kyat 30 billion on lighting up Yangon, the Permanent Secretary said
the fund was for a natural gas and diesel fueled generator that generated 25
megawatt. This is partial fulfillment of the power requirement in Yangon. It is
to help provide for the requirement shortage in the summer time. This generator
was purchased under the arrangement of Yangon region government.
Regarding the
question on tendering for offshore blocks in 2017, the Permanent Secretary said
these blocks were tendered in 2013 and works are underway now. Depending upon
the outcome of the geological surveys, tendering will be continued.
Regarding the
lease of a power generating ship, the Permanent Secretary said this was
intended to supplement the power shortages during the summer time. But due to
many causes, it could not be done this year and will be considered again
depending upon the situation of power distribution in the summer of 2018.
On the matter of
increasing electricity charge, the Permanent Secretary said the matter of
production cost was reported. Production cost by hydropower is cheapest while
production cost with natural gas is higher. Programs are being drawn to provide
cheap electrical power to the grass root level people. Once it is drawn up, it
will be submitted to the parliament.
About the rates
applied for industrial and public uses, the Permanent Secretary said different
rates are used. Rates for the public are reduced as much as possible for the
public to use while the rate for industries are at the level to recover
production cost. Charging the same rate for both usages is not an international
practice. For the sake of the public, we are taking time to calculate this.
National level
committee was formed for the Myitsone hydropower project. Our ministry will
work according to the committee’s conclusion and inform the public about it.
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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