Myanmar’s true situation should be apprehended: there are misjudgements resulting from wrong reports

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing holds talks with EUMC Chairman General Mikhail Kostarakos.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and EUMC Chairman General Mikhail Kostarakos inspect Guard of Honour.

EUMC Chairman General Mikhail Kostarakos signs visitors’ book.

EUMC Chairman General Mikhail Kostarakos holds discussions with the Commandant of the National Defence Collage and senior offifi cer trainee.

Nay Pyi Taw May 23

The termination of armed conflicts is of vital importance on the road to democracy. No firm steps can be made in any way on the Myanmar’s democracy path if it is insecure and unstable. In this regard, the Tatmadaw is making efforts. Myanmar’s true situation should be apprehended as there are misjudgements resulting from wrong reports. The truth can be explained, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at his meeting with the goodwill delegation led by Chairman of EU Military Committee-EUMC General Mikhail Kostarakos at Zeyathiri Parlour here this morning.

First, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing accorded a guard-of-honour welcome to General Mikhail Kostarakos at 10 am yesterday in front of Zeyathiri Villa here.

They took the salute of the guard of honour and inspected it, followed by the mutual introduction of the senior military officers of Myanmar and the delegation attending the ceremony.

Present on the occasion together with the Senior General were Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo, and senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army). The EUMC chairman was accompanied by EU Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Roland Kobia, Military Assistant of EUMC Colonel Christer Nordh and officials.

General Mikhail Kostarakos signed in the visitor’s book. Afterwards, he held talks with the Senior General at the parlour of Zeyathiri Villa. 

At the meeting, the Senior General said he has already initiated good relations between Myanmar and EU defence forces to the best of his ability. Likewise, the General has also paved the way towards closer ties between the two. So the new chapter of bilateral relations could be opened. 

EUMC chairman said it is his second Myanmar visit which he took pride of it.The current visit is the initial part of the success of the bilateral relations. The relations will be further promoted in the future.During the visit, he witnessed with pleasure and honour the disciplined activities of Tatmadaw which has the capability of working as a large body. The bilateral relations were centred on the appointment of EU military attaché, and promotion of relations and cooperation including sending of trainees.

Then, the Chairman of European Union Military Committee praised the Myanmar Tatmadaw and government administrative body for their cooperation. He prayed for achieving success of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong and ending internal armed confl icts. With regard to the issue of Rakhine State, he said that the United Nations and EU members have many reports depicting attacks of the Tatmadaw. Although right and wrong facts may be found on the ground, the reports spreading among the people and others are more important. He gave advice that not only the Tatmadaw but also Hluttaw and other organizations need to cooperate with one another in compiling the correct reports. He expressed his efforts to end these misconducts.

With regard to discussions of the EUMC Chairman, the Senior General said that Myanmar expects the best result for the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong to be held on 24 May. It is important for ending armed conflicts and steadfastly practising democracy. The majority of reports related to the issue of Rakhine region are wrong. Beating and taking motorcycle are correct, and action is being taken against the offenders. The Senior General explained the points related to the Rakhine issue approved with the investigations conducted by the government, the Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Police Force. The Tatmadaw, being a legal one, carries out legal performance only. While controlling and supervising its members not to break the law, the Tatmadaw will take action against law breakers without forgiving them. The organizations including the UN wishing to make observation in Rakhine State are allowed on the ground of security measures. In the past, they were not allowed to make observation trips due to danger of terrorists who took arms and ammunition from the border police outposts. Later, all observation teams are allowed for their trips. Myanmar delegates held discussions on prevention and combating terrorism with the delegates from Southeast Asian countries. Preparations have been made to overcome these issues. Myanmar will coordinate with other countries including EU countries.

After the meeting, the Senior General and the Chairman of EUMC exchanged gifts.

In the evening, the Senior General hosted a dinner to the Chairman of EUMC at Aureum Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. 

First, the Senior General welcomed the Chairman of EUMC and party and had the dinner together with those present.

During the dinner, the Myawady Band under the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare performed singing and dancing performance. After the dinner, the Senior General and the Chairman of EUMC exchanged gifts. Then, they presented flower baskets to male and female military personnel from the entertainment troupe and posed for documentary photo with them.

In the afternoon, the goodwill delegation led by Chairman of EUMC General Mikhail Kostarakos laid a wreath at the Memorial to Fallen Heroes in Nay Pyi Taw and paid tribute to the heroes who sacrifi ced their lives in dutifully discharging State defence duty and signed the visitor’s book. Then, the delegation led by the Chairman of EUMC proceeded to the National Defence College. At the parlour of the college, the commandant extended greetings and explained salient points about the college with video clip. Next, the Chairman of the EUMC explained signify cant points of the EU with power point at the training hall and held discussions with the trainees.

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