U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, held a discussion with Ms Ma Theresa P Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and Special Envoy of ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, who is currently paying a working visit to Myanmar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday.
During the Meeting, the Union Minister supported the Philippines as the Chair of ASEAN in 2026. He briefed on the continued efforts of the Government of Myanmar to restore peace and stability in the country, the successful convening of the first phase of the Multi-party Democratic General Election and preparation for the second and third phases of the General Election. He emphasized Myanmar’s active cooperation with neighbouring countries as well as regional and international partners in addressing transnational crime and online scams. He updated the repatriation of foreign nationals, including the Philippine citizens who were involved in online scams, to their respective countries and discussed matters relating to further strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, the Union Minister stated that Myanmar and the Philippines have enjoyed friendly and constructive relations for 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He recalled mutual assistance and support between the two countries during times of natural disasters and expressed gratitude to the Government of the Philippines for sending an emergency rescue team as well as providing assistance in response to the recent Mandalay earthquake. He also conveyed his appreciation for dispatching the diplomats from the Philippine Embassy in Yangon to observe phase one of the general elections and acknowledged the successful and systematic conduct of the election.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines noted and appreciated the updates, including Myanmar’s efforts and cooperation with the ASEAN Chairs in the implementation of the Five Point Consensus. She thanked Myanmar as a member of ASEAN for its constructive cooperation with ASEAN’s efforts and the initiatives led by the ASEAN Chair. While adding that the working visit was her first introductory visit to Myanmar as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, the Secretary expressed her readiness for continued engagement with Myanmar. She also thanked the Government of Myanmar for facilitating the repatriation of the Philippine nationals who were victims of the online scams and discussed possible areas of cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
In the afternoon, the Union Minister hosted a lunch in honour of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and her delegation at the Park Royal Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw. — MNA
