Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Union of Myanmar

9th June 2011. Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin arrived back here via Bangkok by air this morning after attending the Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM) 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Budapest and Godollo, Hungary, from 6 to 7 June, 2011.
In the afternoon of 6 June 2011, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin attended the Working Lunch which was co-chaired by Ms. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union and Vice- President of the European Commission and Mr. Janos Martonyi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary at the Royal Palace in Godollo, Hungary. It was attended by Foreign Ministers and representatives from 48 ASEM members.
At the Working Lunch, the ASEM Foreign Ministers exchanged views on regional issues including developments in Europe, Asia, Middle- East and the Arab World. Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin delivered a statement on recent political developments in Myanmar including successful holding of the Parliament Sessions, formation of the new Government and future direction of the country.
In his statement, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin said that the new government of Myanmar came into being on 30th March following the successful convening of the first session of the Hluttaws attended by elected representatives in accordance with the State Constitution. This is the first democratically elected government in Myanmar under a parliamentary democracy system in almost five decades. In his inaugural speech to the Parliament on 30th March, President U Thein Sein outlined many aspects of the government's future tasks and gave policy guidance. The speech was well received by the people of Myanmar and also welcomed by the international community.
With regard to nation-building and national reconsolidation, high on the priority of the new government's agenda are national unity and economic and social development of the people. The government will create sound economic foundations, based on a transparent and predictable market economy, to promote socio-economic life of all the national races and upgrade the standard of education and health. The government shall also promote and protect human rights in accordance with the Constitution. There are some individuals and organizations inside and outside the country that do not accept the State's Seven-Step Road Map and the Constitution. If they have genuine desire to serve the interest of the State and the people, they should participate in the political process of the state, stand for the elections, and take part in the deliberation of the affairs of the State in the Parliaments as elected representatives of the people. Parliament is the only appropriate venue to discuss the future of the nation. The door is always open for those who are willing to participate in the political process in accordance with the Constitution.
With regard to Myanmar's relationship with the European Union, EU has imposed various types of unilateral sanctions against Myanmar on the pre text of lack of human rights and democracy since 1990. All these restrictions and sanctions under the EU Common Position on Myanmar have been renewed or extended annually since 2004. These sanctions deprived the people of Myanmar of their fundamental human rights including the rights to development. On our part, we are committed to improving our relationship with all countries including member countries of EU. It is my sincere and earnest hope that we will be able to work together with the EU for the larger interest of our peoples based on objectivity, mutual understanding and equality.
The Union Minister also participated in the 1st and 2nd Plenary Sessions where the ASEM Foreign Ministers exchanged their views on Non-traditional Security Challenges and Global Issues respectively.
In the evening, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin attended the Gala Dinner hosted by the Hungarian Foreign Minister in honour of ASEM Foreign Ministers and delegates at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest.
In the morning of 7 June 2011, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin attended 3rd and 4th Plenary Sessions where the ASEM Foreign Ministers exchanged views on recovering from economic and financial crisis, overview of the 3 pillars of ASEM Cooperation, ASEM and the civil society. At the end of the 4th Plenary Session, Hungarian Foreign Minister delivered closing remarks.
On the side-lines of the meeting in Hungary, Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin held separate bilateral meetings with Luxembourg Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Jean Asselborn, Japanese Foreign Minister Mr. Takeaki Matsumuto, Australian Foreign Minister Mr.Kevin Rudd, Slovenian Foreign Minister Mr. Samuel Zbogar, Finnish Under Secretary of State Mr. Jaakko Laajava and Austrian former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and former Commissioner of EU for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Dr. Franz Fischler and exchanged views on promotion of bilateral relations and on issues of mutual interests.

(Source: the New Light of Myanmar 10-6-2011)