(March 24, 2017) The Italian Ambassador in Yangon, Pier Giorgio Aliberti, concluded his visit to Kayin and Mon, located in south-eastern Myanmar: an opportunity to meet with the governors of the states concerned, the representatives of the regional parties, delegates engaged in the delicate peace process underway in Myanmar and active Catholic bishops in the region. "Even in remote regions of Myanmar as the Kayin and Mon States - said the diplomat - you can present interesting business opportunities for Italian companies, for example in the fields of infrastructure and energy." Aliberti The ambassador also stressed the continued commitment of Italy in favor of the democratic transition and the peace process in Myanmar, recalling the many projects carried out by our country and exploring new forms of collaboration for the future. (Red)

ABOUT / ITALY-MYANMAR COOPERATION

The political cooperation, for years strongly influenced by the institutional framework of Myanmar, characterized by a military dictatorship, has rapidly developed in a positive direction following the reforms introduced in recent years. The correct completion of the elections on November 8, 2015 and the subsequent establishment of a new government, March 30, 2016, gave a further push in this direction. In April 2016 the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Gentiloni, was the first representative of a foreign government to be received by the new head of state and government and the second foreign minister to meet his Burmese counterpart, Aung San Suu Kyi. During the visit, it was expressed the continuous, convinced full support for the democratic transition process in Myanmar. Italy ranks, in fact, in the foreground among the partners who have encouraged the country to embark on the path to democracy and socio-economic development, showing at every opportunity, also concretely, feelings of sympathy and appreciation. Special thanks was bestowed to Italy for its contribution in the preservation of the cultural heritage of Myanmar - a sector in which Italy, in collaboration with Unesco, has been particularly committed - and for the partial debt cancellation and conversion, accompanied by a commitment to a more equitable distribution of resources and for the full socio-economic development of the country.