Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin attends ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam

18 Jan

The Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin arrived back yesterday evening after attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, which was held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam, from 16 to 17 January 2020.

The Union Minister attended the Working Dinner hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Mr Pham Binh Minh held on 16 January and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held on 17 January.

At the Retreat, the Ministers exchanged views on the way forward for ASEAN Community building, priorities of Viet Nam’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 under the theme of “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” and ASEAN’s external relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

At the Working Dinner, the Ministers exchanged views on ASEAN’s external relations and its centrality in evolving regional architecture, maritime security, humanitarian issue in Rakhine State, convening of ASEAN-US Summit, promoting ASEAN’s role in maintaining regional peace and security and utilization of facilities of the ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta in holding more ASEAN meetings.

Union Minister U Kyaw Tin updated the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in an informal setting on the recent developments in Rakhine State and informed the Meeting of the Government’s efforts in creating conducive environment for the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure and dignified manner including the second visit of Myanmar High-Level Mission to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, from 18 to 19 December 2019 to share the information on arrangements made by Myanmar for prospective returnees, the launching of the “National Strategy on Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Closure of IDP Camps” and its implementation in States including Rakhine, the Government’s efforts to resettle the internally displaced persons residing near the border with Bangladesh, the continued efforts of the Government to promote harmony among various communities and access to education, health and livelihood for all communities living in Rakhine State regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender. He also briefed the Ministers of the highlights of the statement made by the State Counsellor at the ICJ hearing in The Hague.

The Press Statement by the Chairman of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was issued at the end of the Retreat. In the Press Statement, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, among others, welcomed the second visit of Myanmar High-Level Mission together with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and the AHA Centre, including ASEAN-ERAT members to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, from 18 to 19 December 2019. They also welcomed the establishment of an Ad-Hoc Support Team of the ASEAN Secretariat to focus on implementing the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment. The Ministers reaffirmed their support in providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating the repatriation process, and promoting sustainable development in Rakhine State. They also expressed their continued support for Myanmar’s efforts to bring peace, stability, the rule of law, to promote harmony and reconciliation among the various communities, as well as to ensure sustainable and equitable development in Rakhine State.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was the first meeting held during ASEAN Chairmanship of Viet Nam in 2020. Viet Nam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship from 1 January to 31 December 2020. The first ASEAN Summit is scheduled to be held in Da Nang, Viet Nam in April 2020.—MNA