Foreign Minister (FM), Senator Ishaq Dar, and Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe. PHOTO: APPLICATION
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Myanmar on Monday pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained and structured engagement across multiple sectors, aimed at 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 ahead of a meeting at the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. Myanmar’s foreign minister, who arrived on a four-day official visit on Saturday, was warmly welcomed by Dar upon his arrival at the ministry.
In his speech, Dar said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Myanmar and deeply appreciates the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He noted a gap in high-level exchanges, saying Myanmar’s last visit was in 2015, while Pakistan’s last high-level visit was in 2012, when President Asif Ali Zardari visited Myanmar.
Dar said bilateral relations were rooted in history and mutual respect, as 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 and structured engagement and practical, results-oriented initiatives,” he said.
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He added that since their independence, the two 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 their warm hospitality and said the two countries established strong ties soon after independence through 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 the two countries had enjoyed friendly relations since then. Than Swe noted that 2026 would mark the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and expressed hope that Pakistan and Myanmar will find new ways to strengthen their relations and benefit from expanded multi-sectoral cooperation.
