Visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta to Myanmar

29 June 2011

(Japanese)

From June 27th to June 29th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta visited Myanmar (Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw) and exchanged views with both Myanmar government officials as well as leaders of pro-democratic movement including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to Myanmar was first time in three years. The last visit was by Mr. Uno, then Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, who visited the country on May, 2008 to provide assistance when it was hit by Cyclone Nargis.

1 Main Events (28th-29th)

(1) June 28th (@ Nay Pyi Taw)

• H.E.Mr.Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• H.E.Dr.Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
• H.E.Mr.Tin Naing Thein, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development & Minister for Livestock and Fishery
• H.E.Mr.Nanda Kyaw Swa, Deputy Chairman of the Pyithu Hluttaw
• H.E.Mr.Htay Oo, General Secretary of Union Solidarity and Development Party
• Handover Ceremony of food aid to Myanmar (coordinated with WFP).

(2) June 29th (@ Yangon)

• Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
• Leaders of Opposition Parties including NDF.
• H.E. Mr.Hla Myint, Mayor of Yangon City and Minister for Development, Yangon Region
• Visit to Japanese Cemetery

2 Meetings with Government Officials (28th)

(1) Parliamentary Vice-Minister Makiko Kikuta stated,

1. (i) Japan views that the fact that Myanmar held general election and shifted to civilian rule, released Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, released political prisoners in May, though not sufficient, is a positive step toward democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
2. (ii) In order for Myanmar to further promote national reconciliation and democratization, the Government of Japan strongly hopes that a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD, the party led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and further release of political prisoners, will take place and requests the Government of Myanmar to take appropriate measures. The Government of Japan would like to make this visit as a first step to open new page in Japan-Myanmar relationship.
3. (iii) The Government of Japan is paying attention to President Thein Sein’s inauguration speech in which he stated his views on topics such as an establishment of free, fair and developed democratic nation and establishment of market economy system as well as requested members of opposition parties to cooperate in democratization. The Government of Japan plans to assist Myanmar’s efforts.
4. (iv) Expressed appreciation for words of condolences by officials of the Government of Myanmar and financial assistance of 100,000 USD donated by Myanmar on the occasion of the Great East Japan Earthquake. (To this, the Myanmar side stated their conviction that Japan will expeditiously reconstruct from earthquake disaster.)

(2) To this, Government officials including Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, and members of National Assembly stated,

1. (i) a long historical relationship exist between Japan and Myanmar,
2. (ii) the Myanmar will invigorate the National Assembly, which has newly began its activity,
3. (iii) the Government will cooperate with people from all across the social spectrum in constuction of the country,
4. (iv) the Government was able to confirm will to promote cooperation on both Japan and Myanmar side in the meetings.

(3) In addition, Japan and Myanmar discussed cooperation in 4 areas (human exchanges, economic cooperation, economic relations, cultural exchanges) to strengthen the Japan-Myanmar relationship. With regard to economic cooperation, while closely following the progress of democratization and improvement of human rights situations in Myanmar, Japan will consider and implement on a case-by-case basis projects centering on basic human needs which would directly benefit the people of Myanmar.

(4) Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta requested once again for Government of Myanmar’s cooperation in full accounting of incident of the death of Mr. Kenji Nagai. To this, Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin explained that the Government is continuing its investigation.

3 Meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (29th)

(1) In the meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta exchanged views on various issues including Myanmar’s efforts toward democratization.

(2) Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi towards earthquake disaster. She explained Japan’s view on the current situation in Myanmar and assistance towards Myanmar.
To this, With regard to earthquake disaster, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stated that she would like to see Japan recover and continue remain as a strong country. She also stated that when Japan considers assistance towards Myanmar, it should not only consider assistance towards democracy, but should also have a view to contribute to peace and stability of the region. She further stated that it is important that donor countries conduct assistance with transparency and clear sense of responsibility. In addition, she stated that in considering democratization of Myanmar, it is important to consider it not only from the perspective of release of political prisoners, but also from the view of the rule of law

(3) Other issues such as the mentor of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during her study in Kyoto as well as food she favors were also discussed. The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.

4 Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kikuta exchanged views with leaders of the opposition parties including NDF in Yangon on the 29th. She also visited Japanese Cemetery as well as met with Mr.Hla Myint, Mayor of Yangon City and Minister for Development, Yangon Region, and former Ambassador to Japan. She met with Japanese citizens living in Yangon on the 27th.