State Counsellor’s meeting with Pope leads to diplomatic ties

May 4, 2017

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with Pope Francis in Rome yesterday before announcing full diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Myanmar.

The move means the Vatican and Myanmar will each appoint a full-fledged ambassador.

Following the talks with Pope Francis, the State Counsellor also held talks with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

At the meeting, they discussed progress of the political sector in Myanmar and the government’s efforts for peace and national reconciliation.

After the meeting with the Pope, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met for lunch with the Myanmar Ambassador and families of the staff of the Myanmar embassy, Myanmar scholars and nationals in Italy at the embassy in Rome.

In the afternoon, the State Counsellor delivered an opening address at the International Parliamentarians’ Conference in Rome as a special guest.

She also met with Chairman of the Myanmar-Italy Cooperation Association Prof. Vincenzo Scotti at the Boscolo Hotel yesterday, discussing conservation and cultural heritage in Myanmar.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Mr. Angelino Alfano at the ministry in Rome yesterday.

During the meeting, they discussed promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation, Myanmar government’s efforts for stability and development in Rakhine State, the peace-making process, and Italy’s support for Myanmar’s transition to democracy, peace and national reconciliation.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Myanmar Ambassador to Italy U Myint Naung and other officials.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar