Myanmar, France boost cooperation between parliaments

Myanmar and France have pledged close cooperation between the two parliaments of the two countries on the occasion of the current goodwill visit to Myanmar of a French delegation, led by French Senator and Chairman of South Asia Committee Gerard Midquel. At a meeting with Midquel in Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday, Myanmar President U Thein Sein said he expected more prospects for further relations between the two countries as Myanmar is now on the right track to democracy. "Visit of the delegation may contribute to close cooperation between the two countries' parliaments," he said, expecting that the delegation's visit could witness Myanmar's current situation. French Senator Midquel said his delegation's Myanmar visit is aimed at studying Myanmar's current political and economic conditions and promoting cooperation, especially in the parliamentary affairs by sharing experiences. He praised Myanmar for its milestones such as reform process, democratization and human rights, granting amnesty to political prisoners, signing peace pacts with ethnic armed groups and successful holding of April 1 by-elections. He invited U Thein Sein to visit France, believing that the visit would strengthen and promote cooperation between the two countries. He suggested Myanmar should grasp good opportunities for its development, expressing France's wishes to extend helping hand to Myanmar. During their discussions, U Thein Sein reiterated Myanmar new government's foreign policy as independent, active and non-aligned one regardless of East or West. He stressed two points for Myanmar in developing democracy, namely political stability and flourishing of democracy system to bring socio-economic development of the people. He invited French entrepreneurs to make investment in Myanmar to create job opportunities for his people, saying that Myanmar's Foreign Investment Law in conformity with all countries is to be passed soon, however, pointing that economic sanction is a major hindrance for foreign investors. Although the United States and the European Union have lifted almost all economic sanctions, he said, Myanmar has yet to enjoy GSP (Generalized System of Preference) rights till now. He expressed wishes to have amiable relations with France, expecting multi-sector cooperation between the two countries. Assuming that economic development of Myanmar needs the removal of economic sanctions, Midquel said he will report to the French government on full support of French for removal of all economic sanctions against Myanmar. During his visit in Myanmar, Midquel also met with Speaker of Myanmar's parliament U Khin Aung Myint and their discussions focused on cooperation in parliamentary affairs. In January this year, encouraged by Myanmar's new development, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Juppe paid a first ever visit to Myanmar as a highest-ranking French official since 1988 and was received by President U Thein Sein. Juppe also met parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), assuring to withdraw French sanctions on Myanmar phase by phase based on the country's progress in democratization. Following Juppe's Myanmar visit, Myanmar and France have been stepping up cultural and tourism cooperation covering a number of spheres including preservation of cultural heritage, upgrading and preservation of museums, human resources development, granting of scholarship for culture ministry staff.