Myanmar Chalks Out National Plans Ahead Of Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Myanmar has gathered all its top officials to chalk out strategic plans to deepen its traditional bilateral cooperation with ASEAN and ensure its national policies align with the bloc’s vision.

During the two-day workshop, “Optimising Myanmar’s Role in ASEAN”, officials from diverse ministries were involved in formulating an action plan to work along with the bloc’s 10-member states.

In his opening remarks at the workshop that began on Friday, Myanmar’s Deputy Foreign Minister U Ko Ko Kyaw said the nation’s participation in regional organisations is in line with Myanmar’s independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy, reported state media The Global New Light of Myanmar.

“The importance of mutually beneficial cooperation of the bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms through the intensified efforts fostering vigorous foreign relations can advance the national, political, economic and social objectives of the country,” he said, according to the state media. 

After assuming the ASEAN chairmanship this year, Malaysia will host the first event, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi from Jan 18 to 19.

Malaysia, a founding member of the bloc, is hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit in 2025. 

Besides ASEAN, Myanmar is an active player in regional and sub-regional organisations, such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and Mekong Sub-regional Organisations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the Asian Cooperation Dialogue and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The discussions revolved around the bloc’s landmark pillars – the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. 

“Myanmar has actively engaged in the strategic action plan of various ASEAN pillars to support the implementation of the ASEAN-Community Vision 2045, while openly exchanging views on aligning national priorities with regional interests,” said the state media. 

The meeting also highlighted Myanmar’s contribution to crafting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and called on all ministries to implement the strategic plans of the region’s long-term vision while giving priority to national interests. 

Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe concluded the workshop by urging the relevant ministries to promote a comprehensive strategic national agenda under the three pillars of ASEAN and to strive to reach the same goal with unity and strength. 

The workshop was attended by around 85 government senior officials from 30 ministries of the three ASEAN Community Pillars, reported the state media.

-- BERNAMA