UNION Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe delivered an address to officers and staff members who will serve at Myanmar embassies, permanent missions, and consulates-general abroad yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers U Ko Ko Kyaw and U Naing Min Kyaw, the Permanent Secretary, responsible officials, and the officers and staff members departing for overseas duties.

At the meeting, the Union minister stated that he wished to emphasize that loyalty to the State is the most important attribute of a diplomat. He noted that every foreign service officer needs to possess political and diplomatic insight, and that having qualified diplomatic staff with strong political foresight and experience is invaluable to both the nation and the ministry. He added that it is vital for staff to perform their duties faithfully, honestly, and with a sense of responsibility and account­ability towards the country and the ministry.

Afterwards, the officers and staff members slated for duties at embassies, permanent missions, and consu­lates-general introduced themselves individually, stating the countries where they had previously served and their current postings. The Union minister then outlined the objectives to be implemented and the precautions to be observed in each respective host country. — MNA/THa