1.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
paid an official visit to the Czech Republic from 1 to 4 June 2019 at the
invitation of Czech Prime Minister Mr. Andrej Babiš and a working visit to the
Republic of Hungary from 4 to 7 June 2019.
Meeting
with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
2.
In the morning of 3 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the welcoming
ceremony at the Czech Prime Minister’s Office and held a bilateral meeting with
H.E. Mr. Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
At
the meeting, the two leaders discussed matters on further consolidating the
traditional ties of friendly relations and cooperation, promoting trade,
investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
They
also discussed enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,
exploring possibilities for linking direct flights between Myanmar and the
Czech Republic, promoting cooperation on tourism, education, culture and
healthcare, and exchange of high-level visits between the two countries. The
State Counsellor extended an invitation to the Czech Prime Minister to pay a
visit to Myanmar which was accepted by the latter with pleasure.
3.
Following the bilateral meeting, State Counsellor and the Prime Minister held
the joint press briefing. Prime Minister hosted a luncheon to the State
Counsellor and Myanmar delegation at the Hrzansky Palace in Prague. Meeting
with President of the Czech Republic
4.
In the afternoon on 4 June 2019, the State Counsellor called on H.E. Mr. Miloš
Zeman, President of the Czech Republic at the President’s Office. During the
meeting, the two leaders discussed matters pertaining to promoting bilateral
relations and cooperation and economic and political developments in Myanmar
and Czech Republic. They also exchanged views on current regional and
international situations and the Myanmar Government’s efforts to achieve peace,
stability and national reconciliation in Rakhine State.
Dinner
hosted by Vice-President of the Senate
5.
In the evening on 3 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the dinner hosted
by H.E. Mr. Jan Hornik, Vice-President of the Senate and exchanged views with
the latter on promoting bilateral relations and closer engagements between the
two Parliaments. Working Breakfast hosted by the Czech Minister of Foreign
Affairs
6.
In the morning on 4 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the working
breakfast hosted by Mr. Tomáš Petříček, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Czech Republic at the latter’s office. They exchanged views on issues pertaining
to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, promoting trade and
investments, increasing engagements through the existing cooperative
mechanisms, and sharing experiences in addressing the challenges faced by the
two countries during their democratic transition.
Luncheon
hosted by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
7.
In the afternoon on 4 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the luncheon
hosted by Mr. Radek Vondracek, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the
Parliament.
Paying
respect to the former President of the Czech Republic
8.
In the morning on 3 June 2019, the State Counsellor visited the grave of the
late Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic and laid a flower
wreath.
Giving
a lecture at the Charles University
9.
In the afternoon on 3 June 2019, the State Counsellor gave a lecture at the
Charles University in Prague on the theme “Challenges of Transition”. In her
speech, the State Counsellor gave a brief historic account of the Myanmar’s
struggle for democracy, nation building tasks and challenges faced in the
process of its transition, comparing to the Velvet Revolution of the then
Czechoslovakia, which was accomplished without abrasives or wounding.
10.
The State Counsellor also explained about the situation in Rakhine State, which
is another legacy of the past for which the NLD government took office. She
stated that the communal conflicts between the two communities in 2012 in
Rakhine State, one of the least developed parts of the country, drew the
attention of the world. To resolve the basic causes of the troubles, the
Central Committee for Rule of Law and Development in Rakhine State was formed,
and the late Dr. Kofi Annan was also requested to lead a commission to advise
on how to best address the issues that were undermining peace and harmony in
the region. The attacks of ARSA terrorists on several police outposts in August
2016 and the subsequent military retaliations unleashed a series of events that
turned Rakhine into almost the only part of Myanmar that seemed to hold
interest for the international community.
11.
She also pointed out that political democratization, peace negotiations and
Rakhine issue are the parts of Myanmar’s transition that captures world
attention and makes the headlines. But, few seemed interested in what Myanmar
people wanted from the transition, their hopes, as they waited stoically for
more than half a century to express the longing in their hearts. Clean water,
all-weathered roads, electricity, better education facilities and better health
care are the major needs of the people. These basic needs are too simple to
attract the interest of the world, but of paramount importance to Myanmar
people. She gave her assessment of Myanmar’s transition over the past three
year in terms of progress in fulfilling those essential needs and hopes of the
people of Myanmar.
12.
After the lecture, the State Cousellor was conferred “Historical Medal of
Charles University” by the Rector. The Historical Medal of Charles University
is conferred to the people who have achievements in academic and science, or
who have promoted the bilateral relations with the Czech Republic.
Attending
the Czech-Myanmar Business Forum
13.
In the morning of 4 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the Czech-Myanmar
Business Forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and delivered the
opening speech. The opening speeches were delivered by Prime Minister Mr.
Andrej Babiš, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Mr.
Karel Havlíček, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Tomáš Petříček, and U Thaung
Tun, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. The Forum
was attended by Chairman of UMFCCI U Zaw Min Win and Myanmar entrepreneurs, Mr.
Jaroslav Hanak, President of the Czech Confederation of Industry and Czech
entrepreneurs.
14.
In her keynote address, the State Counsellor expressed that throughout the
1960s, Myanmar was one of the Czech Republic’s largest trading partners in
South East Asia and remains as an important partner to this day. The two-way
trade volume reached USD 24 million and there are still ample potentials for
growth. The re-opening of Myanmar Embassy in Prague will help promote further
cooperation between the two countries. Myanmar sits at a strategic geographic
and market crossroad – between China, India and ASEAN. Myanmar has a sizeable
and expanding internal market with a population of 54 million which will surely
benefit from greater cooperation and integration with external markets.
Myanmar’s growth for 2020 is estimated to reach 6.8% - one of the highest
growth rates, in the Southeast, the world’s fastest growing and dynamic region.
The government has reduced the size of the budget deficit and inflation, trade
grow by 20% in every year. Digital financial services are growing by 30% per
month in Myanmar and smart phone penetration rates are amongst the highest in
the world. Myanmar Special Economic Zones, including Thilawa, hold significant
potentials to attract new foreign direct investment.
The
SEZ offers special incentives for investors, including income tax exemption for
seven years. In light of these incentives, Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan
recently announced that it is planning to build an automobile factory in
Myanmar. The decision of Toyota reflects the growing confidence of investors.
The newly launched Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan will lower the poverty
rate in the country. Although many challenges remain, the progress achieved
since the reform process commenced in 2011, is nothing short of remarkable.
Trade, investment, cooperation on development and people-to-people connectivity
between Myanmar and Czech Republic are fundamental elements of the existing
strong friendship.
Reopening
of Myanmar Embassy in Prague
15.
Afterwards, the State Counsellor attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch
the official opening of Myanmar Embassy in Prague. The ceremony was attended by
Mr. Tomáš Petříček, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic,
ambassadors and heads of missions of ASEAN member countries and Myanmar
community.
The
State Counsellor and Mr. Tomáš Petříček cut the ribbons and the State
Counsellor delivered the speech at the ceremony. The reopening of the Czech
Embassy in Yangon in 2014 and reopening of Myanmar Embassy in Prague during the
State Counsellor’s visit to the Czech Republic marked yet another milestone to
further consolidate the relations and cooperation stronger than ever.
Opening
ceremony of the photo exhibition
16.
In the afternoon on 4 June 2019, the State Counsellor attended the opening ceremony
of the photo exhibition “The Beauty of Myanmar” at the Naprstek Museum. The
Exhibition was aimed at achieving more understanding and awareness of Myanmar’s
traditions and culture of the ethnic nationalities, and scenic sites and
tourist attractions by the Czech people. The exhibition will be on display from
4 June 2019 to 16 August 2019.
17.
After attending the Exhibition, the State Counsellor and Myanmar delegation
left Prague to Budapest, Hungary by air.
Meeting
with Hungarian Prime Minister
18.
In the morning of 5 June 2019, the State Counsellor met with H.E. Mr. Viktor
Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary at the Prime Minister’s Office. The two
leaders exchanged views on matters pertaining to promotion of bilateral
relations, cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and economy,
democratic transitions in Myanmar and in Hungary, current regional and
international situations, Myanmar Government’s efforts to achieve peace,
stability and development in Rakhine State. They also discussed possibilities
of opening the embassies by the two countries in the respective capitals.
Meeting
with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
19.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the State Counsellor held talks with
H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, they discussed to
accelerate the cooperation process between Myanmar and Hungary to promote
bilateral relations, to provide Tied Aid Credit loans from Hungary to
contribute the development projects of Myanmar, to enhancing relations in the
areas of trade, investment, agriculture, water management, culture and
promoting people to people exchanges, forging closer cooperation in the
contexts of ASEAN framework and the international arena, providing more
scholarship programmes to Myanmar students for human resource development, to
work together in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting trade and
investment between Myanmar and the EU.
They
also exchanged views on the challenges faced by Myanmar in its democratic
transition. The Myanmar side thanked Hungary for the understanding and
constructive support extended by Hungary to Myanmar Government’s efforts in
Rakhine State and national reconciliation. After the meeting, the State
Counsellor attended the working lunch hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Trade.
Lecture
at the National University of Public Service
20.
On 6 June 2019, the State Counsellor gave a lecture at the National University
of Public Service giving a brief overview of Myanmar’s democratic transition,
efforts towards peace and national reconciliation, endeavours to achieve
stability and development in Rakhine State, education reforms, bilateral
cooperation between Myanmar and Hungary on education, and promoting
people-to-people engagements between the two countries, and responded to the
questions raised by the participants.
Meeting
with the First Officer of the National Assembly
21.
In the afternoon, the State Counsellor met with Mrs. Marta Matrai, First
Officer of the National Assembly of Hungary. At the meeting, they cordially
exchanged views on shared experiences of democratic transition in Myanmar and
in Hungary, and discussed to promote cooperation between the two parliaments
and capacity building of the legislatures.
Luncheon
hosted by Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
22.
After the meeting, the State Counsellor attended the luncheon hosted by Mr.
Zsolt Nemeth, Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the
Hungarian Parliament and exchanged views on the democratic transition in
Myanmar and its achievements.
Attending
the Hungary-Myanmar Business Forum
23.
In the afternoon on 6 June 2019, the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
attended the Hungary-Myanmar Business Forum and delivered an opening remark.
The Forum was attended by Myanmar and Hungarian entrepreneurs, and Union
Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun gave a
presentation on the investment opportunities in Myanmar.
Meeting
with Myanmar Embassy’s Staffs and Scholars in Hungary
24.
During the visit, the State Counsellor met with Myanmar Embassy’s Staff led by
U Myo Aye, Ambassador of Myanmar to Hungary and Myanmar Scholars studying in
Hungary.
25.
The State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar delegation arrived back
Nay Pyi Taw in the morning of 8 June 2019. The State Counsellor was accompanied
by Union Ministers U Thaung Tun, U Kyaw Tin and senior officials during the
visit to the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
Nay
Pyi Taw.
Dated:
8 June 2019
Photo:
MNA
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
No comments:
Post a Comment