Foreign Minister (FM) Senator Ishaq Dar and Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Myanmar on Monday committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained and structured engagement across multiple sectors, with the aim of achieving 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 remarks ahead of a meeting at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. Myanmar’s 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 attaches great importance to its relations with Myanmar and deeply values the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Noting a gap in high-level exchanges, he said Myanmar’s last visit took place in 2015, while Pakistan’s last high-level visit was in 2012, when President Asif Ali Zardari traveled to Myanmar.
Dar said bilateral relations were rooted in history and mutual respect, which was reflected in the first 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, results-oriented initiatives,” he said.
Read: FO creates crisis cell to help Pakistanis in Myanmar and Thailand after deadly earthquake
He added that since gaining independence, both countries have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. “Pakistan sincerely wishes peace, stability and prosperity for Myanmar and hopes that the upcoming general elections will contribute to stability, development and inclusive governance,” Dar said.
Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe thanked Pakistani leaders for the warm hospitality and said both countries had established strong ties soon after independence thanks 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 of both countries have maintained friendly relations since then. Than Swe noted that 2026 would mark the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations and expressed hope that Pakistan and Myanmar would find new ways to strengthen relations and benefit from expanded multi-sectoral cooperation.
