French foreign minister to visit Myanmar this week
YANGON - French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will pay his first visit to Myanmar on June 17-19, according to the French Embassy in Yangon.
Naing Naing Tun, the embassy’s public relations officer, said that it would be the first official visit by a representative of the French government since the civilian government took office in Myanmar. The minister aims to establish the new foundations of the bilateral relation, especially through the French development aid and the financial involvement of the French Development Agency in the years to come.
On the first day, Ayrault will meet with President Htin Kyaw, State Counsellor and Union Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, energy minister Pe Zin Tun, patron of the Parliament and Upper House Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than, commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, respectively in Nay Pyi Taw.
In Yangon on June 18, he will meet with Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein, French non-government organisations working in Myanmar, and the French community in Yangon, respectively. He will also visit the French Institute and meet with representatives of Myanmar’s civil society there. On June 19, the delegation will visit the house of U Thant, former general secretary of the United Nations, and meet with Thant Myint U, U Thant’s grandson and chairman of the Yangon Heritage Trust. Ayrault will also visit the Secretariat (Ministers’ Office).
Improving bilateral trade and investment a key topic of Ayrault’s discussions with the Myanmar officials. According to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, France stands as No.12 in the list of foreign investors which include 45 countries. As of May 31, four French firms have been allowed to invest US$541.61 million, accounting for 0.85 per cent of total foreign direct investment approved by Myanmar.
Ayrault said in an earlier statement that France stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Myanmar people in the latest stage of their democratic transition and assured them of its full support as they face new challenges. He also applauded the long, brave battle waged by Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who stood by her and made so many sacrifices for democracy and freedom.
The previous government welcomed France’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Juppé in January 2012. It marked the first visit to Myanmar by a French foreign minister, and the first ministerial visit since 1988. During the visit, Juppé announced a tripling of bilateral French aid to Myanmar, targeting humanitarian and emergency aid, development aid, support for NGOs and Myanmar’s civil society and the development of cultural relations.
