Myanmar leader hailed for democratic reforms

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday lauded visiting Myanmar President U Thein Sein for introducing democratic reforms in his country, which is gradually opening to the world after decades of near isolation under a military junta.

“These reforms include the holding of free elections, the release of political prisoners, dialogue with the opposition, the expansion of political rights, and the promulgation of new economic laws such as the new Foreign Investment Law,” Aquino said in a speech welcoming Thein.

Aquino said political and economic reforms were among the issues he had discussed in bilateral talks with the Myanmar leader and that such were “historic developments” made possible under Thein’s leadership. Thein’s three-day visit ends today.

“These (democratic and economic reforms) herald a new chapter in Myanmar’s history. The Philippines supports these initiatives and has offered assistance on capacity building through technical cooperation,” he said.

To demonstrate its commitment to embrace democracy, Myanmar released top opposition leader and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in November 2010 after 15 years of house arrest. She plans to run in Myanmar’s 2015 presidential elections.

In his speech, Aquino also disclosed that the government had offered technical assistance to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission.

“Given that peace is one of our countries’ mutual concerns, President Sein and I shared our experiences on the peace process within our individual nations,” he said. “To further our defense cooperation, I have appointed a resident defense attaché to Myanmar.”

For his part, Thein thanked Aquino for Manila’s “continuous support on Myanmar’s transition towards democracy.” He added that Myanmar, formerly called Burma “is committed to best serve the will and wishes of our people.”

“As such, we are endeavoring to achieve peace, stability and economic development as they are the two main wishes of our people. In doing so, we are making engagements with the internal political forces,” he said.

The Myanmar leader revealed that they have “offered peace talks to the ethnic armed groups in the country to achieve national reconciliation.”

“All these efforts resulted in creating an environment of political stability and rule of law. At the same time, government has also been creating opportunities for good economic environment and foreign direct investment,” Thein added.

Six agreements

 Highlighting the Myanmar leader’s visit was the signing of six agreements with the Philippine government aimed at boosting economic ties as well as cultural and technological exchanges.

The agreements include allowing Filipinos 15-day visa-free stay in Myanmar. Manila and Yangon also inked deals on food security and agricultural cooperation, renewable energy, information cooperation, trade investments, and on exchange of notes on relief and resettlement.

Myanmar donated $50,000 for the victims of last October’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu and $100,000 more for the survivors of the Nov. 8 super typhoon Yolanda in Leyte and Samar provinces.

“I thanked the President for his message of sympathy and solidarity for our countrymen who were victims of this calamity,” Aquino told Thein and his delegation in Malacañang.

“In particular, I expressed our deepest gratitude for the Myanmar government’s donation of $100,000 in humanitarian aid, and for the seven tons of relief goods flown in by the Myanmar Defense Services,” Aquino added.

Thein, for his part, extended his people’s “profound condolences to the victims of earthquake and recent victims of super typhoon Yolanda.”

“Like your country, Myanmar has also suffered a great deal when a serious cyclone struck our country in 2008,” the Myanmar leader said.

“Therefore, we fully sympathize with the victims of the super typhoon and can understand the suffering and difficulties they are going through at this difficult time. I have brought along relief goods and medicines for the victims of typhoon,” he said. Aquino hosted a state luncheon yesterday in honor of Thein. 

MOUs

 Trade Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr. and Myanmar ambassador Ye Myint Aung also signed a memorandum of agreement on closer cooperation in trade and investments.

“Since bilateral trade between the Philippines and Myanmar has increased, we explored opportunities to maximize the economic potential of our countries. In pursuing a stronger partnership in this area, we seek not only the benefit to our economies, but also the benefit to our peoples,” Aquino said.

Aquino also revealed offering Myanmar “training courses to relevant agencies on entrepreneurship, culture, ecotourism, culinary arts, agriculture and fisheries, food processing and preservation, and gender issues.” 

An MOA was also signed between Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Miguel Varela and Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Win Aung on the establishment of closer business contacts via conferences, seminars, study tours, exchange of trade groups and participation in trade fairs.

“As we move further along the straight path towards building a truly progressive and harmonious Southeast Asia, I look forward to working with Your Excellency in deepening the relationship our two nations share,” Aquino said as he offered Thein a toast.

“I am convinced that this growing cooperation contributes to the progress and prosperity of the peoples of our two countries and of the region as a whole,” the Myanmar leader declared in response.