Prime Minister sends felicitations to Brunei Darussalam

YANGON, 23 Feb— On the occasion of the 21st National Day of Brunei Darussalam which falls on 23 February 2005, Lt-Gen Soe Win, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaullah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

General Thura Shwe Mann welcomes back Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win and party

YANGON, 22 Feb — Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win and party returned home by special flight at 10.15 pm yesterday after paying an official visit to the Republic of the Philippines at the invitation of President of the Republic of the Philippines Her Excellency Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Myanmar delegation was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command, the ministers, senior military officers, Charge d’ Affaires ai of the Philippine Embassy Mr Pablito A Mendoza and embassy staff and heads of department. Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win was accompanied by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office U Soe Tint, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Director-General of Political Department U Thaung Tun and heads of departments.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

PM’s visit a drive to further strengthen existing
goodwill relations, cooperation between two countries
Philippines not accept economic sanctions against Myanmar imposed by some big nations

YANGON, 22 Feb— Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Soe Win and members of Myanmar goodwill delegation on an official visit to the Philippines were welcomed by President of the Philippines Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanan Palace in Manila yesterday.

On arrival at the palace Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win was welcomed by Philippine President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Next, a welcoming ceremony was held. Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win and President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo went to the dais and took the salute of the Guard of Honour. The visiting Prime Minister was accorded the 19-gun salute. Meanwhile, the State Band played the National Anthems of the Union of Myanmar and the Philippines. The Prime Minister and the President inspected the Guard of Honour.

President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presented senior officers of the Philippine Army, Executive Secretary Mr Eduardo Ermita, the ministers and senior officials to the visiting Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win also presented his entourage to President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He also greeted diplomats of ASEAN nations.

The Prime Minister and the President proceeded to Malacanan Palace and they were welcomed there by students waving the miniature flags.

Next, Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win signed in the visitor’s book of the palace. The Prime Minister and the President met at the Music Room of the palace. Present were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines U Tin Tun and Director-General of Political Department U Thaung Tun. President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was accompanied by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr Elberto Romulo and Philippine Ambassador Madame Phoebe A Gomez.

The Prime Minister and the President discussed matters on mutual interest of the countries. Next, they also met at Ramos Music Conference of the palace at 11.20 am.

Also present were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Myanmar Ambassador U Tin Tun, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office U Soe Tint, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Director-General of Political Department U Thaung Tun.

The Philippine President was accompanied by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr Elberto Romulo, Secretary of Trade and Industry Mr Juan Santos, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Mr Michael T Defensom, Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mme Sonia C Brady, Undersecretary of Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency Mr Anselmo Avenido, Philippine Ambassador Madame Phoebe A Gomez and senior officials.

The Prime Minister and the President discussed bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and regional issues. In the discussions, Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win said he thanked the president, the ministers and the people of the Philippines for their hearty welcome.

He said he believed that his official visit would be a drive to further strengthen the existing goodwill relations and cooperation between the two countries. Myanmar-Philippines diplomatic relation was established in 1956. Both countries maintained traditional closer ties based on mutual goodwill and understanding. Traditions of exchange of visits by leaders of both countries had already existed.

As frequent visits of high-ranking officials of the two nations have resulted in bilateral cooperation in all spheres, encouragement is to be given to ensuring frequent visits in every level. He expressed his belief that the two nations will gain greater benefits through bilateral relations and cooperation.

He thanked the Philippines for her understanding on Myanmar’s internal affairs and standing by Myanmar in regional and international arena.

He said that the first Myanmar-Philippines Joint Commission meeting was successfully held in Yangon, Myanmar in April 2004 and the two nations will be beneficial through the holding of the Joint Commission meeting on a regular basis, and he invited the Philippine President to visit Myanmar whenever opportune.

Next, the two leaders held a discussion on political and economic developments in Myanmar, Myanmar’s stand in ASEAN and matters related to mutually beneficial cooperation between Myanmar and the Philippines.

In her discussion, the Philippine President said that she warmly welcomed the goodwill visit to the Philippines by Myanmar delegation led by the Prime Minister and she was pleased with such a visit.

She said she knew more about Myanmar through the visit of the Myanmar delegation and the Philippines understood measures being taken by Myanmar government.

The President added that Philippines did not accept economic sanctions against Myanmar imposed by some big nations and it will continue to stick to the constructive engagement in dealing with Myanmar; that it will strive for further cementing of the Philippines-Myanmar relations.

The Philippines is ready to hold the second Philippines-Myanmar Joint Commission meeting and the meeting will make suggestion on bilateral cooperation between the two countries, she disclosed.

She said that the Philippines have the wishes to further cooperate with Myanmar in economic sector, especially in construction, gem and jewellery and production sectors.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Prime Minister and party arrive Manila

YANGON, 22 Feb—Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Soe Win, together with ministers, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Philippines Her Excellency Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, left here by air for the Philippines on 20 February morning.

On the way to Manila, the Myanmar goodwill delegation stopped over at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at 11.45 am local time. They were welcomed at the airport by Deputy Chief of Cabinet of the Office of the People’s Council & People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh Mr Huynh Khanh Hiep and officials, Myanmar Ambassador to Vietnam U Tin Latt, Military Attache Col Tin Soe and embassy staff.

The Prime Minister and party held a cordial meeting with Mr Huynh Khanh Hiep and officials at the airport special lounge.

The Myanmar goodwill delegation left the airport and arrived at Villamor Air Base in Manila at 5.45 pm local time. Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines U Tin Tun and Head of the Protocol Department of the Philippine Foreign Affairs Ministry Mr Jose Zaide boarded the plane and welcomed the Prime Minister and party.

The Prime Minister and party were also welcomed by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr Alberto Romulo.

The Myanmar Prime Minister and Commanding General of Philippine Air Force Lt-Gen Jose L Reyes took the salute of the Guard of Honour.

Philippine Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Mr Michael T Defenson and Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Mme Phoebe A Gomez greeted the Myanmar Prime Minister.

A young Myanmar damsel presented a bouquet to the Prime Minister. Myanmar ambassador’s wife Daw Nan Phaung and embassy staff welcomed the Prime Minister.

The Myanmar delegation arrived at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila, where they would put up.

The Prime Minister and party visited the residence of the Myanmar ambassador in Manila, where they were welcomed by the ambassador and wife, embassy staff and their families, and Myanmar officials who are in service at the Asia Development Bank in Manila.

Next, the Prime Minister received the embassy staff and family members. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that he was glad to learn that the Myanmar ambassador and embassy staff and their family were in good health.

The entire national people are making harmonious efforts under the leadership of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation. Having to live at home or abroad, the national staff are indeed the ones who are to shoulder the responsibilities in the interests of the nation. The embassy staff and family members are to try their best to become reliable ones, he said.

The Myanmar ambassador hosted a dinner to the Prime Minister and party.

Yesterday morning, the Prime Minister and party, accompanied by Philippine Minister Mr Michael T Defenson, Philippine Mme Phoebe A Gomez, Ambassador U Tin Tun and officials, left the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel for the Luneta Park, where they were welcomed by Manila Mayor Mr Jose Atienza and officials.

The Prime Minister and party laid a wreath at Jose Rizal Monument and paid tribute to the fallen hero.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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