Strengthening the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Vietnam and Myanmar

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are paying an official visit to Myanmar from December 16-18 at the invitation of Myanmar President U Win Myint.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc was received by Myanmar President U Win Myint on December 17. (Photo: VGP)
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc was received by Myanmar President U Win Myint on December 17. (Photo: VGP)

Taking place in the context that Vietnam and Myanmar are looking forward to celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (May 28, 1975 - 2020), the PM's visit to Myanmar aims to further strengthen the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries, creating a strong motivation to bring this fine relationship to new heights.

Located in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is very rich in natural resources. With more than half of its land area covered by forest, Myanmar provides the world with about 40 million cubic meters of timber each year, of which 30% is teak. Myanmar has 135 ethnic groups and tribes, of which the Burmese account for 68% of the population. Over the past few years, Myanmar has achieved encouraging achievements in promoting national reconciliation, national development and international integration.

Vietnam and Myanmar share many similarities in terms of history and culture and quickly established diplomatic ties. The Vietnamese people always remember the warm support and assistance of the Government and people of Myanmar towards the country’s revolutionary cause and construction. Vietnam has had a representative agency in Myanmar since 1948. The two countries also carried out many practical activities in 2015 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries have been marked by high-level visits by the leaders of the two countries.

In particular, during the state visit to Myanmar by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017, the two sides issued a joint statement on their comprehensive cooperative partnership, opening up a new page in the cooperative relations between the two countries. The two sides also collaborated to develop an action programme to develop the comprehensive cooperative partnership for the 2019 - 2024 period. This is an important document, contributing to orienting the development of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Vietnam and Myanmar with a long-term vision in a more profound manner.

We are pleased to see that economic cooperation, trade and investment between Vietnam and Myanmar have seen dynamic development. Vietnam is Myanmar's seventh largest investor, with 18 projects and a total registered capital of nearly US$2.2 billion. Two-way trade in the first eight months of 2019 reached nearly US$632 million, up 6.1% compared to the same period of 2018.

Regarding agriculture, the two sides have organised many delegations to visit each other to exchange experiences and promote cooperation. The two sides are now pushing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural and rural development cooperation. The two sides also actively promoting the development of roads in the East-West Economic Corridor, road and sea transport projects to serve trade, tourism and people-to-people cooperation between countries in the region.

Vietnam and Myanmar are time-honoured friends and trusted partners in ASEAN, as well as within the framework of regional and international forums. Vietnam and Myanmar have closely cooperated in international forums, such as the United Nations, ASEAN, and other cooperative mechanisms such as the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), and the cooperation among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV). The two countries also regularly coordinate and support each other in regional and international forums.

In the context that the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Vietnam and Myanmar has been increasingly strengthened in a deep and effective manner and that the two countries are looking forward to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Myanmar aims to foster bilateral cooperation in all fields, for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, contributing effective for peace, stability, cooperation and development of the region and the world.