Meeting Between H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Htay Oo, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of the Union of Myanmar (Outline)

August 25, 2009
Japanese

On August 25, H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held talks with H.E. Mr. Htay Oo, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of the Union of Myanmar, for about 20 minutes. The outline of their meeting was as follows.

1. Minister Nakasone made the following statements:

(1) The Government of Japan welcomed Minister Htay Oo's first visit to Japan.

(2) Japan is cooperating with Myanmar in the field of agriculture, and also continues assistance to areas affected by the cyclone.

(3) Japan strongly expects that Myanmar proceed a democratization process with participation of all the parties concerned, in order that the general elections to be held next year in Myanmar are welcomed by the international community. Japan takes note of the fact that the Government of Myanmar referred to the possible early release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Japan believes that swiftly taking such measures and allowing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to participate in the democratization process would be of great benefit to Myanmar, and has strong expectations regarding this matter.

2. In Response, Minister Htay Oo made the following statements:

(1) He was happy to realize his first visit to Japan. Japan and Myanmar have a traditional relation of friendship, and the citizens of both countries are close as well.

(2) Myanmar is grateful for the large amount of assistance received from the Government of Japan for damages caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

(3) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was dealt with law, and Mr. Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has reduced her sentence. Myanmar believes that her early release will be possible if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi leads an honest life.

(END)

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