Pakistan and Myanmar on Monday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in political, trade, commercial, cultural and people-to-people domains, and reaffirmed their commitment to revitalising long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.
Speaking at a joint press stakeout along with Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said the two sides held detailed discussions where “We undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, including political, commercial, trade and cultural areas, as well as people-to-people exchanges, and noted significant untapped potential”.
He said the two sides also singed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations to institutionalise regular engagement between their foreign ministries. “This institutional mechanism will facilitate regular engagement and sustained dialogue on bilateral, regional, and international issues.”
DPM/FM Ishaq Dar said the visit of the Myanmar Foreign Minister reflected the importance both countries attached to strengthening bilateral ties. He said Pakistan and Myanmar shared historic bonds and mutual respect, and agreed to work closely to expand cooperation in all priority areas.
The deputy prime minister said the two countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in capacity building, development and humanitarian sectors, and to strengthen coordination for consular assistance, particularly in cases involving victims of scamming gangs.
He underscored the importance of deepening cultural and people-to-people ties through academic linkages, youth engagement and cultural initiatives, and highlighted Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage, saying that there was immense potential of religious tourism between the two countries which will help promoting greater connectivity.
DPM Dar reiterated that all disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar and expressed confidence in Myanmar’s positive role in regional reconciliation and development.
Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe, in his remarks, said the two countries enjoyed historically strong and friendly relations, dating back to their shared experience under colonial rule and the cooperation between Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Myanmar leader General Aung San during their independence movements.
He said this year marked the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the talks covered a wide range of areas including trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and scientific cooperation.
Than Swe said Myanmar intended to send a larger delegation to Pakistan to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in economic sectors such as energy, oil and gas. He invited Pakistani investors and business leaders to visit Myanmar, highlighting its strategic location at the centre of major regional markets and its proximity to ASEAN economies.
He also stressed the importance of business-to-business and people-to-people contacts, tourism, and sister-city initiatives to further strengthen bilateral relations.