The Philippines, previously among the harshest critics of human rights violations in Myanmar, today vowed to strengthen political and economic cooperation with the country at the end of a "comprehensive ministerial-level political mechanism" meeting in Manila. “I trust that after this meeting, follow-throughs will be made so that by... 2014, a more robust bilateral relationship will exist between our two countries and people,” said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin, meanwhile, said reforms are being undertaken toward democratization in Myanmar. President Benigno Aquino yesterday told U Wunna Maung Lwin that the Philippines supports recent reform efforts and offered his government’s help in the transition process. Aquino and the Myanmar foreign minister “noted that the Philippines also went through a transition to democracy and that we are ready to share our experience with Myanmar if it will help them in their own transition,” presidential spokesman Ricky Carandang was quoted as saying in a report by the Associated Press. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said the Philippines and Myanmar have agreed to collaborate in various fields of cooperation. The DFA said the two countries expressed interest in establishing the Philippines-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship Association to encourage an exchange of visits, information and ideas between Filipino and Myanmar members of parliament. Both countries also agreed to boost the current low level of trade through organizing and participating in each other’s trade fairs; exchanging information on specific economic and investment laws; discussing the creation of a joint trade commission; and establishing formal contacts between the two countries’ chambers of commerce. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar were established in September 1956.
