Foreign Minister (FM) Senator Ishaq Dar and the Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Myanmar on Monday pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained and structured engagement across multiple sectors, aiming for mutual benefit, officials said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe made the remarks in their opening statements before a meeting at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Myanmar foreign minister, who arrived on Saturday for a four-day official visit, was warmly welcomed by Dar upon his arrival at the ministry.
In his remarks, Dar said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Myanmar and deeply valued the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He noted a gap in high-level exchanges, saying the last visit from Myanmar took place in 2015, while Pakistan’s last top-level visit was in 2012, when President Asif Ali Zardari travelled to Myanmar.
Dar said bilateral ties were rooted in history and mutual respect, reflected in early diplomatic exchanges after 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.
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He added that since gaining independence, both countries have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. “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 said.
Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe thanked the Pakistani leadership for the warm hospitality and said both countries had established strong ties soon after independence due to the efforts of two leaders, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Myanmar’s founder, General Aung San, who led their nations’ struggles against British rule.
He said successive governments in both countries have maintained friendly relations since then. Than Swe noted that 2026 would mark the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties and expressed hope that Pakistan and Myanmar would find new ways to strengthen relations and benefit from expanded multi-sectoral cooperation.
