Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Maung Oo and Japanese House of Representatives Member Mr. Hiromichi Watanabe held discussions in Nay Pyi Taw

The Japanese House of Representatives member stated that the purpose of the visit was to resume bilateral cooperation and ODA projects. The parliament is reviewing legal frameworks to facilitate the entry of entrepreneurs. Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Maung Oo received a delegation led by The Honorable Mr. Hiromichi Watanabe, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Hall reception room in Nay Pyi Taw on September 22. At the outset of the meeting, the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw stated that diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1954, have lasted for 72 years, and they are friendly nations. He expressed confidence that Mr. Watanabe, as a friend who has worked with Myanmar for many years, would have a better understanding of the true situation in Myanmar. He noted that Japan and Myanmar have a history of strong friendship and mutual assistance, with friendly relations not only between governments but also between peoples. Therefore, he suggested that cooperation between the two countries could be initiated from the parliamentary sector to enhance bilateral cooperation. He mentioned that the Myanmar-Japan Friendship Parliamentary Group has been formed in their parliament, and both parliaments are ready to cooperate. He expressed a desire to cooperate with the Japanese House of Representatives in various sectors of their parliament, including committees, women, youth, and technology. He stated that their parliament is reviewing legal frameworks to enable all entrepreneurs to come and conduct business. He added that Japan is a world-leading country in agriculture and technology, and he wished to discuss cooperation in Myanmar's agricultural and technological sectors. He believed that Mr. Watanabe's current visit is the first step that can be implemented most quickly for cooperation between the two parliaments. Following this, The Honorable Mr. Hiromichi Watanabe, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to meet with the Speaker respectfully and congratulated him on his election as Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. He stated that he had visited Myanmar about 30 years ago and participated in development activities. He reiterated that Japan and Myanmar are very close friendly nations. He explained that his current visit is aimed at resuming bilateral cooperation and ODA projects. He believed that this should be achieved by starting with cooperation between the two parliaments. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to foster closer relations between the peoples through cultural exchanges between the two countries. He mentioned cooperation in Myanmar's Thilawa Special Economic Zone and agricultural sectors. He invited the Speaker to visit Japan at a convenient time and pledged to strive for cooperation between the two parliaments. Attendees at the meeting included Secretary of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw International Relations Committee U Yoe Aye Hla, Chairman of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Myanmar-Japan Friendship Parliamentary Group Dr. Myo Aung, Secretary U Moe Min Oo, and officials from the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Office, along with the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.