Myanmar Delegation led by U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN-Myanmar SOM Leader attended the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting and the ASEAN Plus three Senior Officials’ Meeting and other sideline events; the 13th ASEAN Maritime Forum, the 11th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum and the EAS Workshop on Developing Coastal Economy held in Bali, Indonesia from 31 July to 5 August 2023.

At the Senior Officials’ Meeting, ASEAN SOM reviewed the implementation of ASEAN’s priorities in 2023 and reaffirmed to strengthen cooperation within ASEAN and beyond maintaining the ASEAN-centred Regional Architecture to ensure and enhance regional resilience in response to common and emerging challenges in particular.

The East Asia Senior Officials’ Meeting exchanged views on fostering the work of EAS in 2023, including enhancing EAS coordination with other ASEAN-led mechanisms. The Meeting also discussed the future direction of EAS for the common interest in line with the Fundamental EAS instruments based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of EAS.

The ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials’ Meeting was held subsequently at the EAS SOM and discussed ways forward on how to counter and enhance cooperation for common regional challenges such as food security, financial stability, climate change and environmental impacts and energy security by maintaining the good practices of ASEAN Plus Three.

ASEAN-Myanmar SOM Leader, Permanent Secretary U Chan Aye, expressed Myanmar’s candid views on the basic of Myanmar’s neutrality principles of Foreign Policy on enhancing regional cooperation, while upholding the principles of ASEAN. He reaffirmed Myanmar’s readiness to closely engage with dialogue partners in a constructive manner with a view to mainstreaming the works of ASEAN and dialogues partners in the ASEAN-led mechanisms in support of ASEAN Member States and EAS participating countries. He also briefed on the latest developments in Myanmar and emphasized the task of maintaining law and order in the country to achieve peace and stability and restoration of democratic rule.

U Ko Ko Hlaing, Union Minister for International Cooperation received H.E. Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at 1100 hrs on 20 July 2023 at the Ministry of International Cooperation in Nay Pyi Taw.

During the call, they cordially exchanged views on the promotion of existing friendly bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, India’s humanitarian assistance as well as provision of necessary construction materials for repair and rebuilding works in Cyclone Mocha hit areas, the possibility of expanding India’s investment as well as exporting rice, and beans and pulses to India and progress on India-Myanmar-Thai Trilateral Highway project.

U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, received Mr. Chen Hai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar, on 25 July 2023 at 1030 hrs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw.

During the meeting, they cordially discussed the matters pertaining to the further consolidation of the existing Pauk Phaw relations and cooperation, the continued implementation of Myanmar-China bilateral projects, the maintenance of peace and stability along the border area between Myanmar and China, China’s continuous constructive support towards Myanmar development endeavor as well as further enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation both at regional and international arena particularly ASEAN and United Nations.

(17 July 2023, Nay Pyi Taw)

At the official invitation of H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, the current Chair of BIMSTEC, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. U Than Swe participated in the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held on 17 July 2023.

The Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC Member States i.e. H.E. Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, H.E. Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan, H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India, H.E. Narayan Prakash Saud, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, H.E Mr. Ali Sabry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC were present at the Retreat.

During the Retreat, the Foreign Ministers cordially discussed and exchanged views on matters related to BIMSTEC Cooperation mechanism as well as regional and global issues.

On BIMSTEC Cooperation mechanism, their discussions focused on the cooperation with the external partners, establishment of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC and holding of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meetings. They also deliberated on resiliency to crisis i.e. pandemic, financial crisis and natural disasters, post covid-19 economic development and other regional and global issues including ways and means to establish cross-border digital payment system, health, energy and food security.

After the Retreat, the Chair of BIMSTEC, Thailand hosted a Luncheon in honor of delegations to the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.

Then, the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers paid a joint courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, H.E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, the Secretary General of BIMSTEC paid a courtesy call on the Union Minister H.E. U Than Swe in the afternoon of 16 July 2023. During the call, the Union Minister handed over the original document of Myanmar’s “Instrument of Ratification to the BIMSTEC Charter” to the Secretary General. Myanmar has already ratified the BIMSTEC Charter as per the provisions stipulated in the Charter.

In the evening of 16 July 2023, the Union Minister H.E. U Than Swe together with the Foreign Ministers from other BIMSTEC Member States attended the Welcoming Dinner hosted by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the current Chair of BIMSTEC.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization established in 1997 and it comprises seven Member States namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The main aim of BIMSTEC is to promote economic cooperation among the Member States of the Bay of Bengal region. Out of current seven Sectors of BIMSTEC Cooperation, Myanmar is now serving as the Lead Country in “Agriculture and Food Security Sector”.

Source: Facebook Page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar

U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar separately met H.E. Dr. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Republic of India at 1000 hrs (Local Time) and H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at 1100 hrs (Local Time) on 16 July 2023 on the sidelines of 12th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and BIMSTEC Foreign Minister’s Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister, the Union Minister apprised on the Myanmar Government’s efforts to ensure peace, prosperity and democracy in line with the Five-Point Roadmap and latest developments of Myanmar. They also cordially exchanged views on matters pertaining to the promotion of long-standing friendly bilateral relations between the two countries and expansion of mutually beneficially cooperation in the areas, among others, border area development and security, connectivity as well as closer collaboration in the regional and international fora including the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and the BIMSTEC.

At the meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, they candidly exchanged views on strengthening of the existing cordial relations, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation especially in the areas of trade and investment as well as collaborating closely in ASEAN and the UN.

Source: Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar

16 July 2023, Nay Pyi Taw

 At the official invitation of H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the current Co-Chair of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. U Than Swe attended the 12th Mekong- Ganga Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (12th MGC FMM) held on 16 July 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India. The Foreign Ministers and representative from other Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Member States i.e. H.E. Dr. Sok Siphana, Senior Advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia and H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand attended the meeting physically, and H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam also participated virtually.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway and discussed on the way forward. They also exchanged views on cooperation and future direction of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.

At the meeting, implementation of the Lead Country Mechanism for the cooperation areas under MGC and the establishment of MGC Business Council were approved. The Joint Ministerial Statement of the 12th MGC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was adopted by consensus as an outcome document of the Ministerial Meeting.

Then, the Lao PDR handed over the Co-Chairmanship of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) to Myanmar. Myanmar and India will serve as Co-Chairs of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC).

Before the 12th MGC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India, the permanent Co-Chair of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, hosted a welcome lunch in honor of the Heads of Delegation of the MGC Member States.

The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is the regional cooperation mechanism established in the year 2000 to further enhance socio-economic development of the region. India and five Mekong countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam are Members of the MGC.

Source: Facebook Page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar

During the call, they cordially exchanged views on the latest developments in Myanmar and efforts of the Myanmar Government to ensure peace and stability of the country as well as matters related to the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of trade and investment, connectivity and media development.

https://www.mofa.gov.mm/en/union-minister-for-international-cooperation-receives-the-delegation-led-by-the-president-of-the-foreign-correspondents-club-of-south-asia-7-6-2023/

At the meeting, they cordially exchanged views on the further consolidation of the existing friendship and promotion of bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and China, the maintenance of peace and stability along the border between Myanmar and China, disaster relief supplies by the Chinese government to affected areas in Myanmar caused by Cyclone Mocha, and closer collaboration between the two countries in regional and multilateral contexts particularly, the United Nations and ASEAN.

https://www.mofa.gov.mm/en/union-minister-for-international-cooperation-receives-the-chinese-ambassador-to-myanmar-2-6-2023/

(31 May 2023, Nay Pyi Taw)

U Ko Ko Hlaing, Union Minister for  International   Cooperation   received Ms. Danielle Parry, UN Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. and OCHA Head of Office a.i. at the Ministry of International Cooperation in Nay Pyi Taw at 10:00 hrs on 31 May 2023.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of cooperation for the smooth and effective provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy population affected by Cyclone MOCHA in Myanmar.

https://www.mofa.gov.mm/en/union-minister-for-international-cooperation-receives-ms-danielle-parry-un-humanitarian-coordinator-a-i-and-ocha-head-of-office-a-i-31-5-2023/