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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
WIN AUNG
Personal Staff Officer - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 301) |
DEPUTY MINISTER : U KHIN MAUNG WIN
Personal Staff Officer - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 302)
DEPUTY MINISTER : U KYAW THU |
MINISTER'S
OFFICE
Acting Principal Officer : U Hlaing Myint Oo - Tel:
95-1-222844 (x 303) |
Political
Department
Director General : U Thaung Tun - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 320)
Deputy Director General : U Phae Thann Oo- Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 320)
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East Asia and Pacific Division -
Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 424)
South East Asia Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 388)
South and West Asia Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 324)
South East Asia Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 388)
Middle East and Africa Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 350)
Europe Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 329)
Americas Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 402)
Public Relations & Information Division Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 426)
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ASEAN
Affairs Department
Director General : U Aung Bwar - Tel: 95-1-229214
Deputy Director General : U Kyee Myint - Tel: 95-1-229206 |
Political and Security Division -
Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 407)
Economic and Functional Cooperation Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x
400) |
Training, Research & Foreign Languages Department
Director General : U Tint Deir - Tel: 95-1-222028 |
Training Division - Tel: 95-1-222844
(x 385)
Foreign Languages Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 377)
Research Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 345) |
Protocol
Department
Director General : Thura U Aung Htet - Tel: 95-1-222198 |
Protocol Division - Tel: 95-1-222844
(x 331)
Privileges & Immunities Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 372) |
International Organizations and Economic Department
Director General : U Win Mra - Tel: 95-1-222188 |
International Organizations Division
- Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 362)
Economic Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 390) |
Consular &
Legal Affairs Department
Director General : U Nyan Lynn- Tel: 95-1-222197
Deputy Director General : U Than Tun - Tel: 95-1-211099 |
Consular Division - Tel: 95-1-222844
(x 357)
Social & Cultural Affairs Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 401)
International Law & Treaties Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 383)
Boundary Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 399) |
Planning &
Administrative Department
Director General : U Ko Ko Kyaw - Tel: 95-1-222199 |
Personnel and Administrative
Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 368)
Finance Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 314)
Buildings, Supplies & Communication Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x
394)
Computer Division - Tel: 95-1-222844 (x 344) |
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