Finland Times

Finland announced to allocate a 6.5 million  EUR aid for development cooperation of the South-East  Asian country Myanmar as a part of resumption of bilateral relation between the two countries.

The President, Sauli Niinisto on Friday said that a 6.5 million euro’s development package was ready for Myanmar for the years 2014 to 2016.

The Finland president made the announcement from a joint press conference in Helsinki on the first day of the three days visit of Myanmar president U Thein Sein to Finland.

The visiting president also assured to continue the development process boosting economy of both the countries during the first ever visit of Myanmar head of state to Finland begun on Friday. 

Myanmar is a south-East Asian country with potential mineral resources, has long been under military role and currently resumed its democratic practice. The initiative was appreciated by the International community and encouraged the European states including Finland to reopen diplomatic relations with Myanmar.

The country has huge mineral resources which is about to explore and for this they need International cooperation.

Niinisto said that he does not think that EU has anymore problem with Myanmar Finland decided renew the relation with the country after lifting the ban.

Pointing out various similarities of Finland with Myanmar including in the mining and forest sectors, the Finnish president said that long term bilateral cooperation could be taken place in a large scale.

He  also pointed out that the Finnish companies have experience and they can provide assistance to Myanmar in the similar fields.

Finland along with other EU countries cut bilateral relations with Myanmar in 1988 due to long term army regime there but in April, 2012 the EU has withdrawn the restrictions Arms embargo.

On Saturday, Thein Sein will visit the Port of Vuosaari in eastern Helsinki as well as the Geological Survey of Finland headquarters. His visit ends on Sunday.

Thein Sein was elected president in February 2011. Ending the military rule, the new democratic government has taken move to develop the country gradually. 

 President Thein, however, commented that  he could not give guarantee regarding the abandonment of the army personnel from the reserved seats in the Parliament. 

Earlier, the Finland in January offered supports for societal improvements in Myanmar as the once-isolated

Southeast Asian country embraced troubles with its ethnic minority groups in the past months.

Finnish Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala made a visit to the country in January for the first time to resume the diplomatic relations.

The President, U Thein Sein seems to be very committed to the reforms, but naturally the number of challenges remains huge, Minister Hautala observed after a meeting with the president adding that they discussed the importance of the transparency of administration and popular participation