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Estonian Established Diplomatic Ties with Burma

27.09.2012

Nr 339-E
 

While establishing diplomatic relations together with Foreign Minister of Myanmar (Burma) Wunna Maung Lwin in New York yesterday, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that Estonia recognises the steps that Myanmar’s government has taken to carry out democratic reforms and create a more open society. “Reconciliation in society is essential,” Paet stated. “Political co-operation is the first step, which must be accompanied by social and economic reforms,” he added.

Paet stated that Estonia is prepared to share its experiences with building up a democratic rule of law state with Myanmar. “Estonia has comprehensive experience in developing an information society, which may be of interest to Myanmar,” Paet said. “Myanmar is welcome to come get acquainted with the activities of Estonia’s e-Governance Academy and the work of the ICT Demo Centre,” he added.

During their meeting, the foreign ministers also discussed co-operation in the UN and reciprocally supporting one another’s candidatures. “We hope that Myanmar will support Estonia’s candidature to the UN Human Rights Council during the elections being held in November of this year,” Paet noted.

The foreign ministers of Estonia and Myanmar agreed in April of this year to establish diplomatic relations during the opening week of the 67th UN General Assembly.

Since March 2011, when the military junta in Myanmar gave power to a new government, major changes have taken place in the country. Reforms are being carried out, a commission has been created to review laws, and political prisoners have been freed. As a result of recent elections, the previously persecuted opposition is now represented in the country’s parliament.

The European Union decided in April 2012 to end all sanctions against Myanmar, with the exception of the arms embargo.

Myanmar was named the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the year 2014 by the other member states of the association.

Photos: http://tinyurl.com/dyorseq

 

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