THE Myanmar delegation, which submitted a response at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands, in defence of the dignity and right to a fair trial of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, returned to Myanmar on 31 January. They arrived back at Yangon International Airport yesterday morning, being warmly welcomed back by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, regional ministers, departmental staff, civil society organizations, monks, artistes, and students, who held vinyl posters and waved miniature State flags.
A welcoming ceremony for the Myanmar delegation, led by Union Minister for Ministry 2 of the President’s Office U Ko Ko Hlaing and Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo, was held at Yangon International Airport, where attendees saluted the flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and sang the national anthem in chorus.
On the occasion, Union Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing, stating that the hearing represented the final and most important stage of the two-party proceedings and emphasizing the significance of the matter, noted that in a trial there are no draws or joint champions — only victory or defeat — and that Myanmar should not be defeated, with the multi-ministerial task force, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Myanmar Embassy in Brussels, embassy staff, and international counsels, having travelled from Myanmar to handle the proceedings, undertaking intensive work over 20 days, often day and night, following nearly five years of preparation during which the team faced numerous challenges, and ultimately fulfilling its efforts in the final hearing by presenting a complete, solid, and timely submission addressing both legal and informational requirements.
The Union minister said that, first, special gratitude was expressed to the Head of State and all those who entrusted the team with responsibility from the beginning and supported the fulfilment of all requirements related to the case.
He also expressed gratitude to the team at the ICJ, which worked tirelessly and with great dedication throughout the five years of the case and during the final 20 days of proceedings, to the international counsels who understood the situation and defended the country with full dedication and commitment, and, in addition, to the Myanmar Embassy in Brussels for providing all necessary support to ensure smooth proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, to the embassy staff who assisted at transit airports, to the ministries and media that supplied complete information from Myanmar to support the legal efforts, and to all others who participated in the process.
He also stated that, in particular, the team expressed lasting gratitude to the people of Myanmar for their wholehearted support of the country’s delegation at the ICJ, noting that this support served as an invaluable source of strength, that, as the saying goes, “The party supported by the people wins the victory,” that if the government and the people continue to work together in unity and solidarity any difficulties and challenges can be successfully overcome, and that continued collective effort is called for toward a golden future in building the new nation hoped for by all, with an appeal to the people to show their love for the country by saluting the national flag and actively singing the national anthem, aiming to achieve long-term, sustainable, and peaceful development in Myanmar.
As the Myanmar delegation, led by Union Ministers U Ko Ko Hlaing and Dr Thida Oo, departed Yangon International Airport in a motorcade, departmental staff, civil society organizations, monks, the public, and students displayed vinyl posters and waved miniature national flags, demonstrating strong public support. — MNA/TH
