(10-11-2026, Nay Pyi Taw)
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw summoned Mr. Mathias Licharz, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Yangon to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 November 2026, warned against the video of the Chargé d’Affaires released via the Embassy’s official social media on 8 November 2026 and handed over the aide-memoire.
At the meeting, the Deputy Minister said that being Germany with well-established democracy in Europe, Myanmar had expected the Chargé d’Affaires to devote his efforts primarily to diplomatic duties, guided by a sense of professionalism. He also mentioned that the democratically elected Government was taking state responsibilities in Myanmar and the statement of the Chargé d’Affaires constituted a grave insult to the Head of State of the host country as well as over 13.13 million Myanmar voters who exercised their democratic rights and participated in the election. He added that the intentional conduct, including the choice of location for the video by the Chargé d’Affaires appeared to fuel opposition to the host country and its Government, thereby inciting internal unrest and undermining the credibility of the Government. He underscored that while the Government of Myanmar was making concerted efforts to achieve its two priority objectives of promoting peace and stability and advancing national development, such actions could be detrimental to national stability. In addition, he stressed that the video statement constituted a disrespectful interference in Myanmar’s domestic jurisdiction and was therefore totally unacceptable.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister stated that the conduct of Chargé d’Affaires also drew strong public criticism, expressing their disapproval of the Chargé d’Affaires’ inappropriate behavior on social media. The Deputy Minister pointed out that the obligations of diplomatic agents under Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, particularly the duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State and not to interfere in its internal affairs. The Deputy Minister also stated that should the Chargé d’Affaires choose to recognize U Win Myint as President and wish to discontinue his service in Myanmar, the Ministry would have no objection to his decision. Moreover he highlighted that despite Myanmar attached importance to its relations with Germany, mutual respect, sovereign equality and non-interference were essential foundations of diplomatic relations and must be strictly observed. He informed that the behavior of the Chargé d’Affaires was incompatible with the standards of diplomatic discretion and restraint and therefore strongly objected it.
The Deputy Minister also demanded a formal explanation on the conduct of the Chargé d’Affaires including whether the statement, the choice of location and its public dissemination were authorized or instructed by the German Federal Foreign Office or on his own initiative. Finally, the Deputy Minister strongly warned against recurrence of such act and informed him that any similar conduct would be treated with utmost seriousness and would take appropriate actions in accordance with international law and established diplomatic practice.
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