Deepening Vietnam – Myanmar traditional friendship and co-operation

The first official visit to Myanmar from September 29 to October 1, made by National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the NA high-level delegation, gained positive results, as recapped by Nhan Dan journalist Van Nghiep Chuc, who accompanied the Vietnamese top legislator during her visit.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Myanmar counterpart Mahn Win Khaing Than (Credit: VNA)

Despite being busy preparing for the 37th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), leaders of Myanmar extended a warm and respectful welcome to the Vietnamese delegation, showing the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Close and familiar capital of Nay Pyi Taw

In late September, all streets from Nay Pyi Taw International Airport to the administrative capital’s centre were bathed in sunshine. In Burmese, the ‘Royal Capital’ or ‘King’s Throne’ are dedicated to Nay Pyi Taw capital.

The capital has undergone a number of evident changes, seen in the urban campus, workplaces of the NA and Government and offices of ministries, branches, diplomatic corps and army as well as a number of resorts and hotels. Spacious roads and modern infrastructure have been recently put into operation.

A protocol officer of Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed his pleasure to be a translator for the important meeting between NA Chairwoman Ngan and her Myanmar counterpart Mahn Win Khaing Than. He said that in the area planned to be the ‘Royal Capital’, to date, there have been approximately 50 high-class resorts in addition to four-star and five-star hotels constructed with luxury and diverse architecture to welcome pilgrims and visitors attending national and international events.

Through meetings and talks, the common direction of NA leaders of Vietnam and Myanmar are deepening the traditional friendship and co-operation between the two nations. They discussed the current situation and development trends in the two countries as well as expressed their desire to continue boosting the parliamentary diplomatic relations and bilateral co-operation and share experience in legislation, oversight and decisions on key issues, meeting the aspirations of the people and voters of the two countries.

Building a bridge of friendship

Attending the meeting and talks between NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Speaker of Myanmar’s Parliament and Upper House Mahn Win Khaing Than and Speaker of Myanmar’s House of Representatives (the lower house of the Myanma parliament) Win Myint, the working delegation’s members were informed about the recent changes of the host country.

In early November, 2015, General Elections were held to select new members of assembly, completing the first step in the seven-step road map for national construction that began in early 2003. New leadership, the NA, Government and people of Myanmar committed to making more efforts to make the country become a prosperous nation with an increased role and position on the international arena. In March 2016, the new President and two Vice-Presidents, along with Cabinet ministers, were sworn-in, ending the nearly 150-day power transfer process.

The process of national reconciliation and solving political issues in order to end the armed conflict in Myanmar has made tremendous strides after the successful organisation of the Myanmar Panglong Peace Conference in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw with the participation of individuals representing the Government, the NA, the army, eight ethnic armed groups, political parties and several other sectors.

International analysts and observers appreciated the success of the general elections that created several breakthroughs as well as many opportunities and prospects for Myanmar’s development in all fields. The country has recently promoted economic reform policies and opened up some major fields such as banking, aviation, telecommunications as well as encouraged foreign investment, strengthened the role of the private sector and enhanced investment in agriculture and the processing industry.

The development policies have numerous new features such as transparency in public financial management, encouraging foreign investment with the highest international standards and economic co-operation for sustainable and long-term common benefits. Regarding the agricultural sector, legislators and executers have set out regulations to settle land disputes, built transparent laws to protect land funds and transferred agricultural land for other purposes.

Before and after this financial year, the Parliament of Myanmar implemented policies related to preferential credit loans to serve farmers. In winter this year, Myanmar’s Ministry of Agricultural Development will allocate US$220 million to support farmers.

During the visit, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Myanmar leaders recalled the history and geographical space connecting two nations and their peoples. Vietnam and Myanmar have many similarities in history, culture and customs. Many people of the two countries still remember historical meetings between President Ho Chi Minh and Myanmar senior leaders, building a bridge of friendship more than 50 years ago. Senior leaders and the people of Myanmar throughout several generations have praised the respectful virtue and personality of President Ho Chi Minh as well as the land and people of Vietnam.

(Source: NDO)