State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was in Prague, the Czech Republic went to Charles University in the afternoon of 3 June and was welcomed by Rector Dr. Tomas Zima and officials.

She was then shown around and explained about Charles University by the Rector.

Next, the State Counsellor delivered a lecture on Myanmar’s transition period experience titled “Challenges faced in transitioning to a democratic system” after the Rector delivered an opening remark.

In her lecture she said there was a time difference of only a year between Myanmar and Czechoslovakia’s transition to democracy. Czechoslovakia’s transition was smooth without any bloodletting. Myanmar people’s demonstration for reform in 1988 was not peaceful and smooth like the Czech Republic’s Velvet Revolution. The National League for Democracy participated in the 2012 by-election and in the 2015 General Elections it won the majority vote and was able to form a government.

Similarly, the 21st Century Union Peace Conference work processes were conducted and after the National League for Democracy government took over the responsibility of the country, it also inherited the Rakhine State affairs to resolve. In the least developed Rakhine State, conflicts between two communities occurred in 2012 bringing international attention towards it.

To resolve the problem at its root, the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development in Rakhine State was formed. Suggestions and recommendations from a commission led by Dr. Kofi Annan were also requested to handle the problems in the best possible way to bring peace and harmony to that region.

Due to the follow up incidents after the ARSA terrorist group’s attack on police outposts in the border region and Tatmadaw’s response to it, Rakhine became the sole and only focus of international attention in Myanmar. Transition to democracy, peace discussions and Rakhine affairs were only part of Myanmar’s transition process, but it became the focus of international attention. There was not much interest on Myanmar people’s hopes and expectation for more than half a century. The main requirements of the people were water, good road transportation, sufficient electricity, good education and health care.

These were normal matters that were of no international interest. Due to similar democracy transition processes, Myanmar and Czech Republic had mutual understanding, said the State Counsellor.

After the lecture, the State Counsellor was presented with the Historical Medal Charles University award by the Rector of Charles University.

Following this, the State Counsellor signed the visitors’ book, cordially met with Myanmar students studying in Czech Republic and took commemorative photos.

Charles University was established in 1348 and it was the first university to be opened in central Europe.

Later in the evening, the State Counsellor attended a dinner hosted by Czech Republic Senate Vice-President Mr. Jan Hornik. After the dinner the State Counsellor signed the Senate Visitors’ Book.

Yesterday morning, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a working breakfast hosted by Czech Republic Foreign Minister Mr. Tomas Petricek. At the working breakfast matters relating to increasing bilateral cooperation and relations, economic and investment sector, increased engagement and relations via cooperation work processes and exchanging and sharing experiences in education, health and democratic transition works were discussed.

After the working breakfast, the State Counsellor and Czech Republic Prime Minister Mr. Andrej Babis attended a Myanmar-Czech Economic Forum held at the Czech Republic Foreign Ministry where the State Counsellor delivered a speech.

The Forum was also attended by Union Ministers U Kyaw Tin and U Thaung Tun, Myanmar Ambassador to the Czech Republic Daw Yin Yin Myint, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President and members, Myanmar business persons, Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and officials, Czech Chamber of Commerce President and Czech business persons.

From there the State Counsellor went to the opening ceremony of the Myanmar Embassy to Czech Republic.

At the ceremony the State Counsellor and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Mr. Tomas Petricek cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the embassy and sprinkled scented water onto the commemorative plaque.

After the State Counsellor and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Mr. Tomas Petricek had delivered speeches they posed for a commemorative group photo with ambassadors from ASEAN countries who attended the ceremony. Later, the State Counsellor inspected the embassy and then took a commemorative group photo with Myanmar students studying in the Czech Republic, Myanmar citizens residing in that country and embassy families.

Later in the day, the State Counsellor attended a luncheon hosted by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic Mr. Radek Vondracek. — MNA/ (Translated by Zaw Min)