PLENARY
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the great honour and privilege of speaking on behalf of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at the Eighth Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP-8) meeting.
We are happy to be in Rome, the capital city of Italy and the seat of one of the greatest civilizations this world has known. We greatly appreciate the hospitality extended to us by the Parliament of Italy. I would like to offer my congratulations on the success of this meeting with its theme that is of such relevance to cooperation between the two regions: the role of Parliaments in fostering Asia-Europe dialogue, sustainable growth and stronger governance structures.The presence of the parliamentary delegation from Myanmar is indicative of the development of the reform process in our country.Economic and financial matters are interdependent and may be termed the main arteries of a country's development. In the globalized economy, no country or region can stand alone. The development of one region depends on integration with other regions in the world; this is particularly significant in our time.
The survival of humanity depends on food security. A total of Eight Hundred Million (800 Mil) people today are chronically undernourished. We need to develop effective cooperation mechanisms in food security and sustainable agricultural development.Myanmar is an agro-based country with the potential to contribute towards the food security of the world. Policies related to agriculture and to poverty elimination have lifted the living standard of our rural population, which constitutes Seventy Percent (70%) of the total population of our country.In its report on the State of Food Insecurity in the world 2014 (SOFI 2014), the FAO, based here in Rome, has recognized Myanmar as a country that has achieved both the Millennium Development Goal-1 (MDG-1) and the World Food Summit (WFS) goal of halving the number of people afflicted with hunger.I would like to take this opportunity to inform the meeting that a process of democratization, based on a multi-party political system and an open market economy, in accordance with our 2008 Constitution, is underway in Myanmar.
We have been encouraged by comments acknowledging the peaceful transition from an authoritarian government to an elected one in Myanmar as a remarkable achievement, not to be found in many countries.
Today in our country, democratic rights and opportunities are at its highest level in fifty years. However, while political reforms are on target, economic, social and administrative reforms have not yet reached the level of our expectations.
We are determined, together with the Government and the people, to overcome all difficulties and to meet all challenges in our quest to attain our common goal of democracy.
Madam Chair,
Myanmar is now reintegrating with the international community. Our relations with many countries and regional and international organizations have been enhanced.
As the ASEAN Chair, Myanmar has successfully hosted ASEAN Summits and Ministerial meetings during 2014. Leaders of the East Asian Summit countries, such as Australia, China, India, Japan and the US, will be participating in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit next month.
In 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community, as a single integrated market of nearly Six Hundred Millions (600 Mil) consumers and imports totaling approximately One Thousand Billion US Dollar (US$1,000 Bil), will be a considerable asset to the economies of ASEAN, its dialogue partners and the European countries.
Madam Chair,
The Myanmar Parliament, on its part, has performed its functions effectively in striving for democracy. Since its inception three and a half years ago, it has enacted One Hundred and Seventeen Laws (117) in line with our reform process.
These include laws relating to the anti-corruption; the establishment of a human rights commission; freedom of the media; education and health; monetary and financial reforms; and the liberalization of trade and investment regulations. Laws on the elimination of drugs, anti-terrorism and money laundering have also been passed.
The members of the Hluttaw have participated actively in the process of internal peace and national solidarity. The MPs' outreach activities have enabled them to represent their constituencies in accordance with our motto that proclaims: "The People's Voice is the Hluttaw's Voice". The Myanmar people had to wait many years for their right to be heard.
As part of the preparations for the 2015 General Elections, the Myanmar Hluttaw, during its present (Eleventh) Regular Session, will be considering amendments to the Constitution and addressing the issue of selecting an electoral system that would be best suited to our country.
Our fundamental objectives, the preservation of peace and stability; development; the promotion of national solidarity and confidence between our ethnic nationalities; and a sustained momentum of the democratic transformation; will all be taken into consideration when we address the issue of constitutional amendments.
Democratic reforms in Myanmar have attracted the attention of the world. Our people trust in the good will of the international community, which, we believe, will assist us in our endeavours.
May I conclude by saying that the Myanmar Parliament has pledged to play a vital role in the betterment of our country and to contribute towards the Asia-Europe dialogue for sustainable growth.
Thank you very much.
7 October 2014, Rome, Italy