The first U.S – Myanmar Partnership Meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on November 15 between an interagency delegation led by the US Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Scot Marciel. The delegation include officials from the Department of State, Commerce, Treasury, Defense, USAID, and the U.S Trade and Development Agency. Myanmar delegation led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Tin.
According to the official Statement, the meeting covered a variety of topics, reflecting the expanding U.S – Myanmar relationship and focusing on areas of current and potential cooperation. It was also an opportunity to exchange views on Myanmar’s peace process, continuing challenges in Rakhine State, democratic transition, and efforts to improve human rights and rule of law. Both delegations discussed ways in which they could build a strong economic and commercial partnership, including through management of natural resources, responsible investment, and inclusive economic development. The dialogue also focused on people-to-people ties as a means to strengthen the bilateral relationship and improve human capital in Myanmar.
It was stated that he U.S. delegation recognized Myanmar’s progress towards consolidating its transition to democracy and stressed the main goal of U.S. policy toward Myanmar and this new Partnership was to help Myanmar succeed.
According to the statement, the Partnership will be anchored by annual dialogues led by the U.S. Department of State and Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will create mechanisms for cooperation in areas including political and diplomatic relations, trade and economic ties, science and technology, education and training, environment and health, defense and security, humanitarian protection and promotion of rule of law, human rights and people-to-people connections.
