President U Win Myint hosted a state dinner in honur of the visiting president of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, and First Lady Kim Jung-sook at the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday evening.
The dinner was also attended by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Vice President U Myint Swe and his wife Daw Khin Thet Htay, Vice President U Henry Van Thio and his wife Dr Shwe Hlun, Union Ministers and officials.
Before the dinner President U Win Myint and President Moon Jae-in extended greetings to each other.
In his greeting, the Myanmar President said: I am very pleased to welcome the delegation of the Republic of Korea, led by Your Excellency President Moon Jae-in and wife Kim Jung-sook, to Myanmar.
I am also glad to host this dinner to honour the delegation.
This is your first ever visit to Myanmar, and also the first state level visit from the Republic of Korea to Myanmar after 2012. This is a historic milestone for Myanmar-Korea bilateral relations. It is also believed that the visit would strengthen the existing friendly ties between the two countries.
Bilateral relations and cooperation have gained momentum since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in May1975. The two countries have also seen the significant improvement of mutual understanding, friendly relations and multi-sector cooperation.
Being Asian nations, the two countries have close affinities in our natural environments and cultural traits, shared experiences in fighting for independence, economic development of our countries and struggles for democracy. These experiences have created closer ties for both our countries.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the development assistance of the Republic of Korea in the efforts of the Myanmar government.
The Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) supported by the Republic of Korea has great potential for the benefits for the socio-economic development of Myanmar rural people.
The Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala) is also a tangible proof of the friendly ties between the two countries. The bridge project was first implemented in 2018, and it will help transportation between Yangon and Dala, and improve social status of the local people upon completion.
I am deeply honored for this afternoon’s meeting where we frankly discussed and exchanged views on friendly relations between the two countries and promotion of cooperation. I am truly delighted that a total of 60 school buses have been donated, and that a cooperation agreement and MoU’s have been sighed during the visit of Your Excellency.
It is very encouraging to note that the economic and trade volumes between the two countries have gradually developed year by year, with the significant increase in investment of the Republic of Korea standing as a major investor in Myanmar.
The two countries are making art and cultural exchanges, with the frequent visits of Korean cultural troupes to Myanmar, which could promote understanding and friendly ties between people of the two countries.
I firmly believe that friendship between the people of our two countries is extremely important. Therefore, Myanmar has allowed visa exemption to citizens from the Republic of Korea since 1 October 2018 to promote people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.
Today, I am very happy to announce a one year extension of this visa exemption for Korean visitors.
I warmly welcome ROK’s implementation of a new foreign policy initiative entitled “the New Southern Policy” as it places great stress on the promotion of relations with ASEAN countries.
I also wish to extend good wishes for the success and good results of the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations and the Mekong-Korea Summit which will be held in the Republic of Korea in November this year.
I strongly support the continuous efforts of the Korean government and its partner countries for peace and prosperity of the Korean peninsula. I also extend good wishes to Your Excellency for great success for this important task, said the President.
Then, President Moon Jae-in first expressed his thanks to the Myanmar President and his wife, the State Counsellor and people for their hospitality during their visit in Myanmar.
He said the Korean people still remember to this day Myanmar’s assistance of rice to ROK during the 70-year Korean war, which has been a great help for the Korean people.
President Moon Jae-in also congratulated the 6 per cent economic growth of Myanmar under the leadership of the President and the State Counsellor, and said he expected for further significant increases in the future and promised that his country was determined to stand with Myanmar always as she undertakes strenuous efforts.
The ROK President said that as a result of this visit cooperation has been promoted between the two countries in agriculture, education, science and technologies, infrastructure and SMEs in support of development works implemented by the Myanmar President and the State Counsellor.
Peace-making efforts of Myanmar and the Korea peninsula issue are related with both regional and global peace. This concept has been recognized at the Korea-ASEAN and Korea-Mekong dialogues. The Korea-ASEAN Summit and the Korea-Mekong Summit which will be held in Busan in November are expected to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.
After the dinner, the attendees were entertained with the performance of artistes at the Thabin Theatre of the Presidential Palace. After the entertainment, the visiting president and his wife presented a floral basket to the Myanmar artistes. Then, President U Win Myint handed over a photo album to President Moon Jae-in as a remembrance of their visit to Myanmar.
MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
Unofficial Translation
