Dar, Myanmar FM hold ?very productive? talks in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks to revitalise ties

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Burmese counterpart Than Swe held ?very productive and comprehensive? discussions in Islamabad on Monday, as both Pakistan and Myanmar seek to revitalise ties.

FM Than Swe arrived in Islamabad on a four-day official visit on the night of January 24. The Foreign Office (FO) had said the visit ?aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries?.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside Than Swe, Dar said, ?Our discussions were very productive and comprehensive.?

He highlighted that the Burmese FM?s visit reflected the ?importance that both countries attach to revitalising and strengthening Pakistan-Myanmar relationship?.

Noting that their meeting went for over an hour, Dar said the discussions covered the ?full spectrum of bilateral relations?.

?We also exchanged views on regional peace and security and agreed that all [?] issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,? the deputy prime minister added.

He stressed that both countries had historic bonds, adding, ?Building on this positive foundation, we agreed to work closely to expand cooperation in all party areas.?

Dar stated that the two leaders undertook a ?comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, including political, commercial, trade and cultural areas, as well as people-to-people exchanges?.

?Both sides noted the significant untapped potential for cooperation and underscored the importance of advancing engagement through sustained, structured and results-oriented initiatives,? he added.

The foreign minister detailed that they agreed to enhance cooperation in capacity-building, development and humanitarian areas.

?The two sides also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, to facilitate consular assistance to each other?s nationals, particularly the [?] victims of scamming gangs,? Dar said, adding that the countries agreed to maintain close coordination through relevant channels to ensure ?collective cooperation?.

According to a statement by Myanmar?s foreign ministry, Than Swe is also scheduled to hold meetings with other high-ranking officials.

Earlier in the day, Dar welcomed Than Swe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he highlighted the ?longstanding friendship and cooperation? between the two countries.

Dar noted that there had ?been a gap? in high-level exchanges, as the last visit from Myanmar?s leadership was in May 2015, while from Pakistan?s side, then-president Asif Ali Zardari had paid a visit in 2012.

?Pakistan remains committed to further strengthening our bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest through sustained, structured engagement and practical, result-oriented initiatives,? said Dar.

Noting that bilateral ties between Islamabad and Naypyidaw were ?rooted in history and mutual respect?, Dar pointed out that their ambassador was the first to present his credentials to the founder of Pakistan following the country?s independence.

?Our two countries have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. Pakistan greatly values this partnership and remains keen to further enhance the cooperation across a wide range of mutually beneficial fields,? FM Dar said.

He further stated that Pakistan ?sincerely desires peace, stability and prosperity for Myanmar and hopes that the forthcoming general elections will contribute to stability, development and inclusive governance?.

Voting in Myanmar?s month-long election concluded on Sunday, with pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on course for a landslide victory in the polls.

On his part, FM Than Swe said he was ?delighted? to visit Islamabad and appreciated the ?valuable invitation and hospitality? accorded to him.

Expressing Myanmar?s desire to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation, he said, ?Before I left my country, I met with many ministers to seek opportunities on how to work together [?] They have a keen interest.

?We do believe that this meeting will pave the way for our future cooperation,? the dignitary said.

He further noted that both Pakistan and Myanmar had remained as part of ?one country under the British colony for more than one century?.

?They closely fought the war for independence [against] the British. Since that time, all successive governments of Myanmar have maintained cordial and friendly relations with Pakistan

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