Namae : Tone Tinnes
Position : Norwegian Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
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How did you become an ambassador?
I have worked in different Norwegian ministries and in the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Even before I joined the Ministry of Foreign affairs, I had experience with international cooperation. I had several positions in the Foreign Ministry in Oslo and abroad. In 2014, I became the Norwegian ambassador to South Sudan. This was a two-year posting and then I became the ambassador to Myanmar.
Did you always want to be an Ambassador?
If not, what was your childhood ambition? Being an Ambassador was not part of my childhood dream. Like most of the other children I had many different dreams, some more realistic than others. I am very lucky that I have a job that allows me to serve my own country while at the same time getting to know other countries, learn about the history, people and see where Norwegian support and experience can be of value.
What was your favorite thing about living and working in Myanmar?
I find Myanmar fascinating in many ways and I find people so helpful. I feel welcome and safe. Myanmar is a country with immense natural beauty, interesting culture and a fascinating diversity.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced since becoming an ambassador? My first year in Myanmar has been interesting and fascinating. It is a great privilege to be able to live and get to know this country and to continue to strengthen the excellent bilateral relationship between Myanmar and Norway.
What have been the best and worst moments of your career so far?
I feel privileged to be able to get to know other countries, to strengthen their bilateral relationship with Norway, find areas of common interest and maybe share some of our experience. There are so many good memories that I will take with me. The most challenging time of my career was the years in South Sudan. South Sudan is the world’s newest country, but there is an ongoing conflict and great need for humanitarian support.
How would you describe the relationship between Myanmar and Norway?
Norway and Myanmar enjoy close and growing bilateral relations, and cooperate on a broad range of issues. The past years have been characterized by frequent political contacts and exchange of visits between the two countries. Most recently, we had a visit by the Norwegian Foreign Minister to Myanmar in July. He reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to continue close bilateral cooperation with Myanmar during his meetings with the State.
Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other senior Myanmar government leaders. Also, during the visit, the Foreign minister reiterated our continued support to democratic transition, peace, national reconciliation and economic development of Myanmar. In June, the Minister of Information Dr Pe Myint visited Norway to attend Oslo Forum, an annual event, which bring together key policy makers. In earlier occasions, Aung San Suu Kyi visited Norway and our King and Queen were on a State Visit to Myanmar in 2014.
Other important aspect of our bilateral ties is Norway’s support to peace process and peace building activities in Myanmar as well as our development cooperation in energy, environment and fisheries sectors.
Things seemed to have toned down since the days of President Thein Sein. Why is that?
Norway has had friendly ties with Myanmar for many years. Our bilateral relations grow closer after Myanmar embraced democratic reforms over the past five or six year’s period and became stronger after the 2015 election and the civilian elected government came to power. We have cooperation with Myanmar government in many sectors and we recently signed two important MoUs with the government, which will pave the way for increased bilateral cooperation. These are on petroleum management and management of fisheries resources.
What is your opinion on the current trends in the Myanmar Economy?
Myanmar has good potential for high economic development. The Government has made important changes in regulations like investment policies and other reforms are ongoing. It is important that the Government continue to work hard to promote investment and creation of decent jobs. If you could make one major changes to a government policy, what would it be? We are here to support Myanmar in its own way to development and prosperity. We can offer our experience and competence in different sectors. We share our experiences including mistakes we have made, so that Myanmar can avoid making similar mistakes.
What further steps should be taken to improve relations between Myanmar and Norway?
We will continue to strengthen the government-to-government relationship. This year we have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Oil for Development program where Norwegian experts are made available to Myanmar. A MoU on Fish for Development was signed in July this year, which will allow us to share our experience on management of fishery resources. The Embassy will also continue to encourage Norwegian companies to invest in Myanmar as well as encouraging Norwegian tourists to visit this beautiful country.
H o w w o u l d y o u r a t e t h e performance of the last two years and previous five years under President Thein Sein?Why is that?
Norway has had friendly ties with Myanmar for many years. Our bilateral relations grow closer after Myanmar embraced democratic reforms over the past five or six year’s period and became stronger after the 2015 election and the civilian elected government came to power. We have cooperation with Myanmar government in many sectorsand we recently signed two important MoUs with the government, which will pave the way for increased bilateral cooperation. These are on petroleum management and management of fisheries resources.
What is your opinion on the current trends in the Myanmar Economy?
Myanmar has good potential for high economic development. The Government has made important changes in regulations like investment policies and other reforms are ongoing. It is important that the Government continue to work hard to promote investment and creation of decent jobs. If you could make one major changes to a government policy, what would it be? We are here to support Myanmar in its own way to development and prosperity. We can offer our experience and competence in different sectors. We share our experiences including mistakes we have made, so that Myanmar can avoid making similar mistakes.
What further steps should be taken to improve relations between Myanmar and Norway?
We will continue to strengthen the government-to-government relationship. This year we have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Oil for Development program where Norwegian experts are made available to Myanmar. A MoU on Fish for Development was signed in July this year, which will allow us to share our experience on management of fishery resources. The Embassy will also continue to encourage Norwegian companies to invest in Myanmar as well as encouraging Norwegian tourists to visit this beautiful country.
How would your ate the performance of the last two years and previous five years under President Thein Sein?
Myanmar has taken important steps to democratic reform, peace, reconciliation and economic development. This positive development is continuing and the present government is committed to find sustainable peace to the ongoing conflict with ethnic groups. The situation in Rakhine is very challenging and we will support the government’s effort to implement the recommendations in the report of the Advisory Commission for Rakhine. The country has opened up for foreign investment and is continuing its effort for social and economic progress. What are the major areas of trade between two countries? What measures do you feel should be taken to boost this? Bilateral trade between Myanmar and Norway is quite limited. This is natural as neighboring countries are the most important trading partners for every country. We are glad to see that several Norwegian companies have invested in Myanmar. Telenor is well known to Myanmar, Statoil, Yara and Jotun are here just to mention a few of the companies.
The Myanmar-Norway Business Council that was established in 2015 aims to facilitate growth in trade and investment between Norway and Myanmar. From the embassy side we also provide support to Myanmar Centre for responsible Business.
What is the Embassy of Norway doing to promote educational opportunities for Myanmar students who would like to study in Norway?
Education is very important for every society. In Myanmar, Norway provides support to education mainly through UN agencies and multilateral initiative, but we have also some bilateral programs. The Embassy provides scholarship for some students from ethnic groups to pursue university education at the Yangon University. We also support mother tongue based multi-lingual education to children in parts of Mon State and in Taninthayi Region.
Then there are always possibilities for Myanmar students to approach Norwegian Universities and Colleges. For more information, students should visit the Embassy’s website.
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