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Foreign Policy of the Union
of Myanmar
(A)
Emergence of Foreign Policy
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A State attains some of its national objectives by
adopting and implementing its domestic policies. However as it is
interrelated with other states, it becomes necessary to adopt policies
that would persuade other states to react favorably. To attain such
objectives, a state needs to establish diplomatic relations with other
states and work in concert towards joint resolutions and cooperative
implementations of common issues. The conduct of such relations in a
systematic and consistent manner is said to be the Foreign Policy of a
State. Both domestic and Foreign Policies are intended to attain
objectives of national interest. They are interrelated and mutually
reinforcing.
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To study the Foreign Policy of a State it is necessary
to observe the basic objectives of its policy or its fundamental strategy.
In adopting a Foreign Policy, States usually adopt one of the following
principles:-
- isolationism
- non-alignment
- polarization
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Myanmar, since achieving independence, and for quite
some time thereafter, adopted and practised an “independent”and
“non-aligned”Foreign Policy. Evolution of the objectives of this policy
may be observed as follows-
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At the time of Myanmar’s independence, the
international system has an Eastern and Western bloc, between which a
“Cold War” was raging. It was also the time when colonial nations were
regaining their independence.These newly independent states were in
favour of adopting “independent” Foreign Policies,” “independent”in the
sense of being totally free of outside influence.
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For Myanmar, which wrested independence with great
difficulty, only an “independent” Foreign Policy was congruent with
independence.
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Concurrently with independence, Myanmar faced an
internal insurgency and therefore wished to avoid a disastrous
contention on its soil between the Eastern and Western blocs.Hence it
wished to be non-aligned between the two great blocs.
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At the time of independence, it was essential to
prioritize on economic and social reconstruction.It was declared at that
time that foreign assistance , without any strings attached from both
sides, will be accepted.
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As Myanmar is geographically situated between two
highly populous nations, India and China, it desired to be independent
and non-aligned.
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For the above mentioned reasons Myanmar consistently
practised an Independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy.
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(B)
Independent and Active Foreign Policy
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Beginning in 1971 Myanmar transformed its independent
and non-aligned Foreign Policy to an independent and active Foreign
Policy. The State Law and Order Restoration Council , by its Declaration
3/88 of 18.9.88 promulgated that it would continue to adhere to the
independent and active foreign policy.In practising its Independent and
Active Foreign Policy, Myanmar will not align itself with any bloc on
international issues except to consistently stand on the side that is
right.Myanmar also actively participates in activities for world peace;
opposes war, imperialism and colonialsm; and maintains friendly relations
with all countries.
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Myanmar practises the Independent and Active Foreign
Policy in accordance with the following principles:
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respect of and adherence to the principle of equality
among peoples and among nations and the Five Principles of
Peaceful Co-existence;
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taking a non-aligned, independent and just stand in
international issues;
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maintaining friendly relations with all nations, and
good-neighbourly relations with neighbouring countries;
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continued support of, and active participation in,
the United Nations and its affiliated organisations;
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pursuance of mutually beneficial bilateral and
multilateral cooperation programmes;
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regional consultation and beneficial cooperation in
regional economic and social affairs;
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active participation in the maintenance of
international peace and security and the creation of an equitable economic order and opposition to imperialism, colonialism, intervention,
aggression and hegemonism;
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acceptance of foreign assistance which is beneficial
to national development, provided there are no strings attached;
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(C) The
Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence
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In 1954 Myanmar, China and India, during Chinese
Premier Chou En Lai’s visit to India and Myanmar expounded the Five
Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Accordingly, on 28.6.1954 China and
India signed in New Delhi and on 29.6.1954 Myanmar and China signed in
Yangon, agreements to adhere to these Five Principles of Peaceful
Co-existence. The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are:
- mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty;
- to abide by mutual non-agression;
- non-interference in each other’s internal affairs;
- respect for mutual equality and to work for mutual benefit; and
- peaceful co-existence
The above Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence still steadfastly
remain the main cornerstone of Myanmar Foreign Policy.
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In matters of world affairs and international issues,
in line with the principles and purposes of the United Nations and on the
basis of the principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Myanmar has acted as
follows;
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Departments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MINISTER
:
U NYAN WIN
Personal Staff Officer - |
DEPUTY MINISTER
: U MAUNG MYINT
Personal Staff Officer - |
MINISTER'S
OFFICE
Principal Officer :
U Tha Aung Nyun - Tel:
95-67 422335 |
Political
Department
Director General :
U Kyaw Tin
- Tel: 95-67412053
Deputy Director General :
U Hau Do Suan- Tel: 95-167412358 |
East Asia and Pacific Division -
Tel:
95-67412358
South East Asia Division - Tel: 95-412358
South and West Asia Division - Tel:
95-67412361
South East Asia Division - Tel:
95-67412358
Middle East and Africa Division - Tel:
95-67412010
Europe Division - Tel:
95-67412010
Americas Division - Tel:
95-67412361
Public Relations & Information Division Tel:
95-67412358 |
ASEAN
Affairs Department
Director General :
U Maung Wai - Tel:
95-67412064
Deputy Director General : U
Tint Swai Tel: 95-67412335 |
Political and Security Division -
Tel: Tel: 95-67412360
Economic and Functional Cooperation Division - Tel:
Tel: 95-67412357 |
Training, Research & Foreign Languages Department
Director General : U Paw Lwin Sein - Tel: 95-1-222028
Deputy Director General : Daw Yin
Yin Myint
Tel: 95-1-222492 |
Training Division - Tel: 95-1-222844
(x 385)
Foreign Languages Division - Tel: 95-1-221531
Research Division - Tel: 95-1-221541 |
Protocol
Department
Director General : U Kyaw
Kyaw - Tel: 95-1-214496
Deputy Director General :
U Aung Lynn
: 95-67-412184 |
Protocol Division - Tel: 95-1-221540
Privileges & Immunities Division - Tel: 95-1-214496 |
International Organizations and Economic Department
Director General : U Thant
Kyaw - Tel: 95-67-412052
Deputy Director General : U
Nyunt Swe : 95-67-412056 |
International Organizations Division
- Tel: 95-67-412352
Economic Division - Tel:
95-67-412354 |
Consular &
Legal Affairs Department
Director General : U Min
Lwin - Tel: 95-67-412062
Deputy Director General : U
Win Naing - Tel:
95-67-412347 |
Consular Division - Tel:
95-67-412185
Social & Cultural Affairs Division - Tel: 95-1-220244
International Law & Treaties Division - Tel:
95-67-412350
Boundary Division - Tel:
95-67-412351 Tel:
95-67-412351 |
Planning &
Administrative Department
Director General : U Tin
Soe - Tel: 95-67-412356
Deputy Director General : U
Tha Aung Nyun :
Tel:
95-67-412011 |
Personnel and Administrative
Division - Tel: 95-67-412342
Finance Division - Tel:
95-67-412343
Buildings, Supplies & Communication Division -
Tel: 95-67-412341
Special Duty Room - Tel:
95-67-412009 |
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