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| FOREIGN POLICY AND
RELATIONS |
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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| "In the history of Myanmar,
international and diplomatic relations have existed since ancient times. In
801-802 AD, a Pyu monarch of Myanmar sent envoys to China via Nan Cho and
established foreign relations.
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King Anawrahta, Bayint Naung and Alaung Paya, during their
reign, integrated small states and established great Myanmar Naing-Ngan. During
that periods, political, economic, diplomatic and cultural ties with Sri Lanka,
Assam, Manipur, Bengal, India, China, Lin Zin (Laos), Chiang Mai, Ayuthaya
(Thailand), Anan and Champa (Vietnam), Yun (Cambodia) and Malay had been in
force. During Konbaung Dynasty founded by King Alaung Paya, diplomatic ties and
international relations were promoted considerably. Myanmar Ministers such as
Kinwun Mingyi and Thandawgyi U Cheint visited neighbouring countries and
European nations including England, Italy, Spain and Portugal and established
relations. |
| After independence,
Myanmar established international relations based firmly on the Five Principles
of equality and peaceful co-existence and actively participated in world
affairs as and when circumstances permitted. |
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INDEPENDENT AND ACTIVE FOREIGN POLICY
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| Independent sovereign nations, in
dealing with other independent States, have laid down and exercised such
foreign policies as to serve their national interests. Such a foreign policy,
which is the consequential outcome of the domestic policy of the country
concerned, is laid down to serve and uphold the interest of the nation. The
Union of Myanmar, after regaining independence on 4 January 1948, also laid
down a foreign policy compatible with prevailing conditions of the State and
world situation that could serve most the interest of Myanmar. It was the
independent and active foreign policy. |
| Myanmar practises an
independent and active foreign policy in accord with the following princip les:
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To always seriously uphold the principle of equality between peoples and
equality between States and the five principles of peaceful co-existence;
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To eschew partiality in world affairs, determine the truth independently, and
adopt an attitude on such a determination ;
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To maintain friendly relations with all nations and especially good neighbourly
relations with neighbouring States;
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To support the United Nations and UN Organizations and actively participate in
their works;
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To undertake benefical bilateral and multilateral cooperative ventures within
the framework of the Indenpendent Foreign Policy
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To coordinate and cooperate with regional States in regional economic and
social affairs;
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To actively work for world peace and security, against imperialism, colonialism
and neo-colonialism, for non-interference, non-intervention and non-domination
by one State in another State's affairs, and for creation of equitable economic
donditions;
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To accept for assistance and aid offered for national developoment and without
strings attached.
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| This independent and
active foreign policy is adopted as being the true course of action in the
contexts of world situation and Myanmar's situation. |
| The indepentdent and
active foreign policy is best suited to Myanmar in view of her geographic
position, her past experiences in international relations. In order, therefore,
to take part in the development of world politics as a member of thefamily of
world nation with a constant view ot maintaining friendly relations with world
nations and especially of neighbouring nations, the independent and active
foreign policy has been adopted. |
| The State Peace and
Development Council is making endeavours to make the nation stand tall among
the nations of the world, upholding the policy. |
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DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
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Myanmar maintains diplomatic and consular relations
with 84 countries in all five continents of the world. Myanmar has established
embassies in 30 countries namely Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei,
Cambodia, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines,
Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United
Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Yugoslavia. In addition, there are
Myanmar Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
It also maintains Consulates-General in Hong Kong and in Kunming. |
| There are 27
foreign embassies resident in Yangon. There is also a Consulate- General
of the People's Republic of China in Mandalay and a Consulate-General of
Bangladesh in Sittway. Two offices of the Honorary Consulate have also
been opened There are 38 Ambassadors who have concurrently accredited to
Myanmar. The United Nations is represented by UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, WHO,
UNDCP and UNHCR offices in Yangon. |
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MYANMAR'S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL AFFIAIRS
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| In accordance
with its independent and active foreign policy, the Unio of Myanmar has
constantly participated in international and regional affairs. Peace is needed
in Myanmar for its development and it is-also essential for the world.
Accordingly, peace in the region and the world as a whole is the unaltered and
unchangeable principle of the foreign policy of Myanmar. Myanmar is
working actively and enthusiastically to the best of its ability and capability
for prevalence of peace in the world. Hence, Myanmar has been working
persistently for friendship with world nations particularly with neighbouring
countries. Shorten animosity, prolong amity, a saying in Myanmar, is a
principle of Myanmar's foreign policy. |
| The foreign
policy of Myanmar is based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The
essence of the Five Principles rests on respect for Myanmar's sovereignty and
territorial integrity and solving international problems peacefully between
nations. Myanmar has given priority to friendly relations with neighbouring
countries and dealing with them as a good neighbour. The problem of demarcation
of boundaries with neighbouring countries was handled and solved in a discreet
and intelligent manner. |
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THE UNITED NATIONS AND MYANMAR
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| Soon after
the end of World War II, the United Nations was founded on 24 October 1945 to
create a peaceful and prosperous world. Three months after regaining
independence, Myanmar applied for membership of the world organization. With
unanimous approval of the U.N Security Council and General Assembly, Myanmar
became the 58th member of the United Nations on 19 April 1948. |
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Strictly adhering to the purposes and principles
enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Myanmar has actively participated in
the General Assembly sessions and other meetings held under the auspices of the
United Nations. The leader of Myanmar delegation, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
has made statements at annual General Assembly sessions. The statements
included Myanmar's stance and view on international issues as well as changes
and development taking place in Myanmar, its policies and programmes so as to
inform the world of Myanmar's situation. The Vice-Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council General Maung Aye led the Myanmar delegation to the
General Assembly marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the
United Nations Day in 1995. |
| Myanmar is
also working in cooperation with specialized U.N agencies and Programmes. They
are the International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), U.N Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Monetary Fund (IMF),
World Bank, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Postal
Union, International Telegraph Union (ITU), World Meteorological Organization |
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International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), General
Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) and United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO). |
| Myanmar has
also been cooperating with UN agencies such as the United Nations Children's
Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and
United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). |
| Myanmar has
dutifully provided its share of financial contribution every year to the United
Nations - one of the duties every member nation must discharge dutifully and
conscientiously. |
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ASEAN AND MYANMAR
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Myanmar was invited to become a member of ASEAN in
1967 when the Association of South -East Asian Nations was founded. But due to
the policies and priorities of Myanmar and then international and regional
situations, Myanmar placed greater emphasis on promoting bilateral ties with
ASEAN member countries rather than the entry to ASEAN. In line with the present
changes in the international situation and in consonance with policies, aims
and objectives, the government started to work earnestly for regional
cooperation. |
| Accordingly,
Myanmar took steps for its entry into the regional grouping, ASEAN. Myanmar
attended the 27th ASEAN Ministerial meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, in July
1994 as the guest of the host country. Myanmar also attended as guest of the
host nation the 28th ASEAN Ministerial meeting held in Brunei in July 1995. At
the meeting, Myanmar signed the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement and
applied for observer status in the ASEAN. |
| The Chairman
of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (now State Peace and Development
Council) Senior General Than Shwe attended the Informal Summit of South-East
Asian Nations held in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 1995 and signed the
Agreement on establishing a South-East Asian Nuclear Free Zone. At the 29th
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia in July 1996, Myanmar
became an observer nation of ASEAN, and also a member of ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF). Myanmar applied for full fledged membership of ASEAN in August 1996. In
order to provide guidance in ASEAN affairs, the ASEAN Steering Committee headed
by Secretary-1 Lt. General Khin Nyunt was formed in October 1996. The Summit
Meeting of the Ten South-East Asian Nations held from 30 November to 1 December
1996 decided to accept Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar as ASEAN member nations.
Thus, Myanmar became a full fledged member of ASEAN at the acceptance ceremony
held in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, on 23 July 1997. |
Myanmar has
played an active part in ASEAN and regional affairs. The Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe attended the First
Informal Summit of ASEAN held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 1 December 1996. He
also attended the Second Informal Summit Meeting of ASEAN held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia from 14 to 16 December 1996 as well as the meeting of Heads of State
and Heads of Qovemment of ASEAN, China, Japan
and Korea. |
| As a member of
ASEAN, Myanmar will be able to present its views and stand through ASEAN to the
blocs that are bent on making unfair allegations and threats, can have more
economic opportunities with the help of member nations and it will no longer be
necessary to pay heed to the other half of the globe for investment as there
will be greater cooperation among friendly nations of the region in every
field. These are the benefits that can be gained as an ASEAN member. |
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Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Myanmar
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| Foreign
Ministers of ASEAN countries and delegates attended ASEAN Foreign Ministers'
Retreat held in Yangon on 30 April 2001. It was chaired by Minister for Foreign
Affairs Mr.Nguyen Dy Nien of Vietnam. |
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MYANMAR AND BIMST-EC
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| Although
Myanmar is a South-East Asian nation, it is geographically situated as a bridge
between South Asia and South -East Asian region. To take an active part in
regional cooperation, Myanmar decided to become a member of BIST-EC, an
economic group made up of South-East Asian and South Asian countries. BIST-EC
comprising Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand was formed on 6 June 1997.
When Myanmar became a member of the economic cooperation group on 22 December
1997, the name of the grouping was officially changed as BIMST-EC. As a member
of the grouping, Myanmar hope to achieve positive results from economic
cooperation among member countries and the programme for transfer of research
and technology. Myanmar participateed in the Third BIMST-EC Trade and Economic
Ministers Meeting and hosted the Fourth BIMST-EC Ministerial and Senior
Officials Meetings in December 2001. |
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