Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Policy Committee, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made a speech at the 1/2021 meeting of Foreign Affairs Policy Committee yesterday.
The meeting was attended by the Council members, General Mya Tun Oo, U Thein Nyunt, U Khin Maung Swe, Secretary and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing, Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Myint Kyaing, Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry Daw Than Than Lin, and Deputy Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Than Aung Kyaw.
In delivering a speech, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing talked about Section 41 of the State Constitution to practise independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy aimed at world peace and friendly relations with nations and upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence among nations.
He also quoted Section 42 (a) of the Constitution, stipulating that ‘The Union shall not commence aggression against any nation’, and Section 42 (b) ‘No foreign troops shall be permitted to be deployed in the territory of the Union’.
The Senior General added that as Myanmar is bordering with two powerful countries, and that careful measures must be taken in all steps of bilateral relations with these countries, while other countries are watching the relations of Myanmar with these countries.
He also said that Myanmar needs to maintain friendly, peaceful and neighbouring relationship with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand as Myanmar should not stand separately among these countries.
The Senior General continued to say about expanding international relations during the term of Tatmadaw government and participation in the international arena, the importance of the relationship with neighbouring countries which have diverse policies and cultures and strengthening friendly relations with these countries.
Regarding foreign investment sector, Myanmar should welcome principled and ethical investments of neighbouring countries; investment from neighbouring countries could reduce the number of migrant workers to these countries and could promote bilateral relations, tourism sector and trade.
He also remarked that the development of the investment sector could substitute import items, reducing trade deficiency of the country and advised to support such type of investment.
The Senior General discussed responsibilities of Myanmar to abide by all the possible issues included in the pacts and agreements signed as a member of the United Nations, making demarcation of sea boundaries urgently, protection of Myanmar migrant workers abroad, providing assistance in their voluntary repatriation, and containment measures against COVID-19 pandemic.
He also talked about international assistance, loans and aid for special programmes which are useful for the development of the country, and gave advice on the collaboration of the relevant ministries with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population to prevent trafficking in persons, implementation of repatriation programmes for the displaced persons in accordance with policies of the country, bilateral agreements and laws.
General Mya Tun Oo, the members of the Council and Union Ministers, reported on the formation and the works of Foreign Affairs Policy Committee in line with the 2008 State Constitution, 12 tasks of the Committee, accelerating international relations, repatriation programmes for the former Myanmar citizens abroad, issuing verification cards to Myanmar migrant workers, delay of repatriation programmes to bring back the displaced persons from Bangladesh and preparations for presenting foreign policy of the Council at the international meetings.
In his concluding remark, the Senior General said information about the existing situations of the country to the international community, promotion of diplomatic relations, improvement of positive attitude on the prevailing situations of the country, implementation of agreements and pledges with other countries, holding celebrations to mark bilateral ties with other countries including China, the crucial role of Committee to promote international economic relations and recovery of the national economy and international relationship.—MNA
