Asia

On December 15, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with H.E. Mr. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, who is visiting Japan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. An overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. Opening remarks

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe expressed his wish to further deepen the bilateral cooperative relationship in a wide range of areas, stating that the next year is an important year as Japan and Myanmar will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship and Myanmar will assume the ASEAN presidency. Prime Minister Abe also stated that both public and private sectors of Japan would support Myanmar towards the progress of various reforms.

In response to this, President Thein Sein expressed, on behalf of the people of Myanmar, his gratitude for the support given by both public and private sectors of Japan in various areas such as the improvement of people's livelihoods, development in the border areas, as well as the development of legal systems, human resource and infrastructure, reiterating his intention to continue to advance reforms.

2. Support for national reconciliation

Prime Minister Abe appreciated President Thein Sein's leadership for national reconciliation between the government and ethnic minorities, and added that he would stand by the peace process and is considering support for the areas under the control of ethnic minorities, in coordination with Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, the Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar. In response to this, President Thein Sein appreciated the support from Japan and expressed his intention to advance national reconciliation including achieving a ceasefire agreement at an early time.

3. Economic issues and development cooperation

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the bilateral investment agreement, a first-ever investment agreement containing substantial elements of liberalization for Myanmar, as a result of joint efforts by the two countries. They also welcomed the progress of the "Japan-Myanmar Joint Initiative," a framework for discussing the investment environment in Myanmar, and shared the expanded investment.

Prime Minister Abe reiterated the intention of Japan to continue to work with Myanmar towards the opening of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in 2015. President Thein Sein expressed gratitude for the support by Japan's public and private sectors regarding the development of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, as a project of historic magnitude that will promote industry development and create employment.

Prime Minister Abe stated that in addition to the 91 billion JPY of financial cooperation that he announced during his visit to Myanmar in May, the Government of Japan had decided to provide a total of 63.2 billion JPY of ODA loans for four projects, through which Japan will provide assistance for the development of railways, water supply and irrigation. Prime Minister Abe also referred to Japan's intention to provide assistance for human resources development in the fields of postal service and industries, as well as the development of hub facilities human resources in health and medical field using the expertise of Japan's public and private sectors. In connection with this, Prime Minister Abe welcomed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on health-care between Ms. Kiyomi Akaishi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Dr. Thein Thein Htay, Deputy Minister for Health. President U Thein Sein expressed his gratitude and requested continued cooperation, stating that a wide range of support from Japan including finance and technology would enhance reform and progress in Myanmar.

4. People-to-people and cultural exchanges

Prime Minister Abe conveyed to President Thein Sein Japan's decision to provide multiple visas to holders of ordinary passports of Myanmar and from January next year, and called for Myanmar's prompt consideration of the relaxation of visa requirements at an early date.

Prime Minister Abe touched on the fact that the uniform of Myanmar national team, the product of a joint effort by a wide variety of people concerned led by Ms Junko Koshino, were presented to Myanmar for the 27th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) being held in Myanmar. He said that he was pleased that those uniforms were being put to use. President Thein Sein expressed his gratitude for these assistances on behalf of the people of Myanmar.

5. Political and security cooperation

The two leaders welcomed the exchanges between defense authorities of the two countries during the port call by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force training squadron at Yangon in October 2013 and shared the view that they will further enhance cooperation and exchanges between defense authorities in the future.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international situations, including the issue of the South China Sea, and Prime Minister Abe explained Japan's stance regarding China's establishment of the "Air Defense Identification Zone."