ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP): Pakistan and Myanmar on Monday vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained and structured engagement in multi-sectoral areas for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and the Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe, in their opening remarks, before their meeting at the foreign ministry here, reaffirmed their commitment to promote multi-sectoral cooperation.
The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, who arrived here on Saturday for a four-day official visit, was warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Dar on his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his remarks, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Myanmar and deeply valued their long-standing friendship and cooperation.
He said that there had been a gap in high-level visits as the last visit from Myanmar was in 2015, and from Pakistan side, President Asif Ali Zardari visited Myanmar in 2012.
Dar said that the bilateral ties were rooted in history and mutual respect, as reflected in the early diplomatic exchanges following Pakistan’s independence.
“Pakistan remains committed to further strengthening our bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained, structured engagement and practical, result-oriented initiatives.”
He said that since their respective independence, both countries enjoyed cordial and friendly relations and that Pakistan greatly valued the partnership and remained keen to further enhance cooperation across a wide range of mutually beneficial fields.
“Pakistan sincerely desires peace, stability, and prosperity for Myanmar and hopes that the forthcoming general elections will contribute to stability, development, and inclusive governance,” Dar added.
Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe, appreciating the Pakistani leadership for the warm hospitality, said that just after their independence, both countries established very valuable ties because of the two great leaders—Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Myanmar’s founder General Aung San—who had worked for independence from the British.
Since that time, all successive governments have followed and maintained our good, friendly relationship, he added.
Foreign Minister Than Swe said that 2026 marked the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations and expressed the hope that both countries would find a way to strengthen ties and benefit from the multi-sectoral cooperation.