Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar calls on the Foreign Minister

(2009-01-22)

Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar H.E. U Maung Myint who is on an official visit to Pakistan called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad today. Views were exchanged on bilateral relations and regional and international situation.

Referring to cordial relations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister said that both countries need to explore the possibilities of further expanding their bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic field. He said that strengthening of political, economic and cultural ties with ASEAN was one of the foremost foreign policy objectives of Pakistan as part of its ‘Vision East Asia Policy’. Pakistan is the oldest Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and our mutual relationship has witnessed a consistent upward trend. He expressed the hope that Pakistan will soon become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. The Foreign Minister thanked the Government of Myanmar for their continued support for Pakistan’s efforts aimed at closer association with ASEAN and also welcomed Myanmar as an Observer in SAARC. Both sides also expressed satisfaction over cooperation in international fora.

Earlier, the Deputy Foreign Minister called on the Foreign Secretary and held talks with Additional Secretary (Asia – Pacific) on bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest.

Islamabad
22 January 2009

036/2009