President-U-Thein-Se.. - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1 President U Thein Sein’s Official visits to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands
H. E. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and party left Nay Pyi Taw on 1
September 2014 to pay official visits to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Official Visit to Germany
The President and the Myanmar Delegation arrived at the Frankfurt International Airport on 2 September 2014.
Upon their arrival, the President and entourage were welcomed by the German Ambassador to Myanmar, the Myanmar
ambassador in Berlin, diplomats and responsible officials.
While in Germany, the President attended the ceremony held in honour of him by German Chancellor Angela
Merkel in Berlin on 3 September 2014. Upon his arrival at the ceremony, Chancellor Angela Merkel greeted him warmly.
After that, the President received the salute of and inspected the guards of honour. It was followed by the working luncheon
hosted by the chancellor.
The Myanmar President and the German Chancellor held discussions on political, economic and administrative
reforms of Myanmar, rural development, poverty reduction, electricity generation, infrastructure development, development
of small and medium enterprises, development of vocational education, development of agriculture and livestock breeding,
prospects for cooperation in education sector, media development, press freedom and ethics, state constitution and
elections, peace, stability and development of Rakhine State, ASEAN and regional relations.
After the luncheon, President U Thein Sein and Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference.
President U Thein Sein,
accompanied German
Chancellor Angela Merkel,
inspected the guards of
honour in Berlin on 3-92014. (Photo-President
Office)
2 President U Thein Sein and
Chancellor Angela Merkel
hold a discussion in Berlin
on 3-9-2014. (PhotoPresident Office)
President U Thein Sein and
Chancellor Angela Merkel
hold a joint press
conference in Berlin on 3-92014. (Photo-President
Office)
At the press conference, Chancellor Angela Merkel told the media that she welcomed the official visit of the
Myanmar president and they had discussed the developments of Myanmar. Recognizing Myanmar’s rotational chair of the
ASEAN, she expressed her support for reform in Myanmar. She added that Myanmar Gothe Institute has been opened in
Yangon and cultural cooperation programmes have been implemented. She said they had held discussions about
assistance for economic development and investment. She went on to say that she supported the all-inclusive peacebuilding efforts and promised to encourage development and freedom in Myanmar. She concluded by saying that she was
glad to have the opportunity to cooperate with Myanmar and thanked President U Thein Sein for his visit to Germany. In
her response to questions raised the media, she said that she and Myanmar president had discussed a number of issues
including constitutional amendment, inclusiveness in the political process, tax reform and that she had urged Myanmar to
be a signatory to international conventions.
President U Thein Sein also briefed the media as follow:
“I am delighted to meet press this morning. At the invitation of German Government, I am coming here as first
ever Head of State of Myanmar in the past 20 years. Myanmar-German relations were initiated in the 19th century with
close contact. At the early of the 20th century, German companies like Siemens were in Yangon. German Chamber of
Commerce and even German Club were also there. What we need to do now is not to start the new relations, but to
strengthen and enhance the traditional existing relations. Therefore, the prime purpose of my visit today is to enhance our
friendly relations. We not only regard Germany as a true friend, but also expect to become a business partner as well as a
main investor in Myanmar. There are many things we have to learn from Germany, Federal Government System, and
efficient urban development, and business attitude, emphasis on research, quality manufacturing, traditional good
education, disciplines and industriousness. Now we are receiving more and more foreign investment in industry and
tourisms sectors.
3 At this moment, I really invite Germany to come for mutual development. What we utmost need now is a kind of
investment which could bring us good job opportunities and accompanying skill and technology. I would like to have
Germany’s cooperation with Myanmar entrepreneurs in this field, especially for the development of the small and medium
enterprises. To have a better economic development, we have to create job opportunities for our citizens. I mean we have
to create many job opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled labourers from rural areas who are going to take part in
urbanization. Myanmar wants Germany to prioritize its investment not necessarily in extractive industry alone, but primarily
in manufacturing sector which encourage job opportunities for local people.
The success of our right path of reform to democracy and peace-building process also depends also on our ability
to attract foreign investment. We have to learn from German companies. Now we are making effort to reform the whole
education system in Myanmar. What we urgently need is short term and long term trainings for professional and skilled
labourers to facilitate them for immediate engagement with internationals. I expect that Germany has capacity and
willingness to assist in this field. Over the three years of reform process, there was success as well as challenges.
However, we could manage to tackle. Myanmar’s reform took place as the same time with Arab Spring. As you all are well
aware that we had no blood shedding and no fighting for destruction of the country in Myanmar.
On behalf of the people of Myanmar, I would like express here my gratitude for the support and cooperation
assistance of Germany government as well as private and political institutes. Thank you.”
In the evening, President U Thein Sein and party visited Wind Park (Energy Sufficient Feldheim Village) in Berlin
and observed generation of electricity with wind turbines which supply 25 percent of electricity requirement of Germany.
Afterwards, the President went to the parliament building of Germany, known as Reichstag, and held discussions
elections with Lower House Speaker Mr. Norbert Lammert and explained about reform process in Myanmar, check and
balance among three pillars of legislative, administrative and judicial branches of the state in accordance with the
provisions of the state constitution, power distribution among the union government, region/state governments and selfadministered zones in Myanmar, constitutional reform and free and fair. Later, the president attended the dinner hosted by
President Mr. Christian Wriedt of Korber Foundation, a non-political think tank.
Then the President met with the Myanmar Ambassador to Germany U Soe Nwe, staff members of the Myanmar
Embassy and their families and Myanmar students studying in Germany at the residence of the Ambassador and explained
to them political, economic, administrative and private sector reforms and efforts to promote the international relations.
On 4 September 2014, the president met with programme presenter Ms. Amrita Cheema of Deutsche Welle News
Agency at the library of the Intercontinental Hotel and responded to questions concerning the reform process in Myanmar.
During his visit to Germany, the President met with the Chairman of Deutsche Bank and
German Asia Pacific Business Organization (OAV) in Frankfurt of Germany on 2 September 2014 to discuss bilateral
cooperation in production of foodstuff and promotion of tourism industry as well as environmental conservation. At the
meeting, they also discussed political and economic reform process of Myanmar and business opportunities for German
business circle to take part in the country’s reforms, further cooperation in meat and breeding sector, renewable energy,
small and medium industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing and establishing vocational training institutes.
The President explained matters relating to construction of fertilizer plant as well as sectors of financial, hotel and
aviation to the OAV Chairman who hosted a luncheon to the President and party. During his tour in Berlin, President U
Thein Sein heard the report on rail transportation system of Germany by Mr. Simon Giovanazzi, Executive Director of DB
BAHN.
4 President U Thein Sein holds
talks with a delegation led by
the Chairman of Deutsche
Bank and German Asia Pacific
Business Organization (OAV)
in Frankfurt, Germany.
(Photo—MNA)
On 4 September 2014, President U Thein Sein met with President Mr. Joachim Gauck of Germany at the latter’s
Presidential Palace in Berlin, and the President was warmly welcomed by the German President. They posed for a
documentary photograph in front of the presidential palace and President U Thein Sein signed on the visitors’ book of the
presidential palace.
Union Ministers U Wunna Maung Lwin, U Ye Htut, U Soe Thane, U Ohn Myint, U Nyan Tun Aung and U Khin
Maung Soe and Myanmar Ambassador to Germany U Soe Nwe were also present at the meeting.
President of the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar U Thein Sein and President Mr
Joachim Gauck of Germany shake hands
before the discussion. (Photo- President
Office)
5 President of the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar U Thein Sein and President Mr
Joachim Gauck of Germany hold discussions
the Presidential Palace in Berlin on 4-9-2014.
(Photo- President Office)
President U Thein Sein and his German counterpart discussed development of Myanmar’s economic and
education sectors. They also discussed progress in Myanmar’s political and economic reforms, national unity and peacemaking process, development of small and medium industries, increasing scholarships for Myanmar as well as rural
regional development.
Later, the President attended a luncheon hosted by Chairman of the Hanns-Seidel Foundation Prof. Ursula
Maennle. The Hanns-Seidel Foundation is implementing more than 50 projects in Myanmar in cooperation with the
ministries, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (UMFCCI) and Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association as well as social organizations.
Official Visit to Switzerland
President U Thein Sein left Berlin for Zurich, Switzerland on the afternoon of 5 September 2014. The President
and the Myanmar Delegation were welcomed by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and Myanmar
Ambassador to Switzerland U Maung Wai.
On 5 September 2014, the President met with journalists from NZZ news agency and responded to their
questions at the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern, where the President and party were staying. Then, the President and
party visited the Albert Einstein Museum of Bern Historical Museum, which was built in 1894,
At the Museum, they were greeted by Head of Asia-Pacific Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Switzerland Mr. Johannes Matyassy. Head of Internal Affairs of House of Cantons Mr. Thomas Minger, Headof Liaison
Department Mr. Christian Kraeuchi and Governor of Bern Dr. Iur Jury Wichtermann explained the administrative
affairs of federal government, states, wards and villages to the President and the delegation members. Afterwards,
the President presented souvenirs to the authorities concerned and posed for a documentary photography with them. The
President and party viewed around the museum and signed on the visitors’ book. The President also presented souvenirs
to an official of the museum.
In the evening, the President attended a welcome ceremony held by the President of Switzerland H. E. Mr. Didier
Burkhalter at the Lohn Manor in Bern, Switzerland. When the President arrived at the welcome ceremony, the Swiss
President cordially greeted him. The Myanmar President inspected the Guard of Honour after receiving the salute.
6 President of the Republic of
the Union of Myanmar U
Thein Sein and Swiss
President Mr. Didier
Burkhalter take the salute of
the Guard of Honour at the
Lohn Manor in Bern,
Switzerland on 5-9-2014.
(Photo- MNA)
Afterwards, President U Thein Sein held talks with his Swiss counterpart. During the bilateral meeting held at the
Grand Salon, the delegations of the both sides discussed matters related to improvement in vocational training schools,
development of agriculture and livestock breeding sectors, capacity building for civil service personnel and local authorities,
peace-making process, human rights promotion, constitutional affairs and holding of free and fair elections, Rakhine State
peace and stability and development, racial and religious conflict prevention and relations between ASEAN and regional
countries.
The meeting reached an agreement for the establishment of a deputy minister-level coordination mechanism
between the two foreign ministries for strengthening bilateral friendship and Switzerland’s contribution of US$164 million to
Myanmar under a five-year plan from 2013 to 2017 for the development of Myanmar. Furthermore, the two Presidents held
discussions on organizing an exhibition on cultural heritage of Bagan and Pyu periods in Switzerland and preservation of
historic buildings in Yangon.
President U Thein
Sein and his Swiss
counterpart Mr
Didier Burkhalter
hold a bilateral
meeting on 5-9-2014
(Photo-MNA)
The bilateral meeting was followed by a joint press conference of the two Presidents. They answered the queries
raised by the media. Afterwards, President U Thein Sein and party attended a dinner hosted by the Swiss President.
7 President U Thein Sein and Swiss President
Mr Didier Burkhalter hold a joint press
conference on 5-9-2014 (Photo-MNA)
On 6 September 2014, the President and party observed the Solar Impulse, a solar-powered plane, at Payerne
Air Base in Bern. The plane was first flown in June 2010 and was recorded as the first plane that was able to fly 26
hours without using fuel. Then, it flew across the United States in 2013. The second generation of the solar plane is
scheduled to fly around the world in March 2015 and making a stopover in Myanmar on the request of President Didier
Burkhalter and President U Thein Sein pledged to facilitate for the success of the flight. Thus the solar plane will land in
Mandalay where the talks on solar energy will be held and the public will have an opportunity for viewing the plane.
Afterwards, the President and party visited the factory of Nestle in Konolfingen. Nestle is planning to invest in
Myanmar and the Myanmar Nestle Company was registered in Myanmar in 2013 and the investment plan has been
already submitted to the Myanmar Investment Commission. It is planning to invest US$ 50 million in coffee, milk and
dairy products, drinking water and beverages sector over six year’s period starting from 2014.
In the afternoon, President U Thein Sein and party visited the Berne University of Applied Sciences in Bern.
Director Dr. Schindler Stokar Magdalena of the university welcomed the President and party and explained the
administrative system of Switzerland. The president and party were briefed by Professor Fritz Schnelder and Professor
Roland Burki about the value chain of milk, dairy products manufacturing, agriculture and food stuff education system of
Switzerland.
Then, the President and the delegates observed the pilot plant for food technology and agriculture and livestock
breeding farm of the university in Schupfen Village and presented souvenirs for families of the farm before posing for a
documentary photo with them. The President and party were treated with local food there.
In the evening, the President and party met with Myanmar Ambassador to Switzerland, the Embassy staff
members and Myanmar students in Switzerland at the Hotel Bellevue Palace and gave guidances. before presenting
souvenirs to them. Then, Myanmar Ambassador to Switzerland U Maung Wai hosted a dinner to the President and the
Myanmar Delegation.
On 7 September 2014, President U Thein Sein and party visited Swiss National Museum in Zurich and studied
utensils, clothes and cultural heritages used in the history of Switzerland. The museum was founded in 1898. Then, the
President signed the visitors’ book of the museum and exchanged souvenirs with officials of the museum.
Then, the President and party proceeded to Rietberg Museum, where an exhibition on Bagan and Pyu cultures is
to be held. It is the third largest museum in Zurich and it features arte facts outside Europe. The museum was founded in
1940s and over 150,000 people visit the museum annually.
In the evening, the President and the Myanmar Delegation left Zurich for Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by air.
Official Visit to the Netherlands
President U Thein Sein and the Myanmar Delegation arrived at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS),
the Netherlands, at 4:15 p.m. local time. They were welcomed by Head of Protocol Department of the Netherlands Mr. Ban
Ees, Bangkok-based Dutch Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Joan BOER and Head of Asia and Oceania Department of the
Netherlands Mr. Potman, Myanmar Ambassador to the Netherlands U Paw Lwin Sein and the family members of Myanmar
mission. Then, the President and the Myanmar Delegation proceeded to the Bel Air Hotel in the Hague.
On 8 September 2014, the President and party visited the Maeslandtkering sluice gate and observed the facility.
8 They were greeted by Minister for Infrastructure and Environment Ms. Schultz Van Haegen of the Netherlands.
They also visited the 1000-megawatt coal plant near Rotterdam Port.
(More news on the visit of the President and the delegation will be followed.)
Source: The New Light of Myanmar issues (September 4-9, 2014)& the website of the President Office

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