On historic visit, Ban praises Myanmar's progress and urges further partnership | Japan Herald

On historic visit, Ban praises Myanmar's progress and urges further partnership

U.N. - Economic Development Monday 30th April, 2012

During a historic address to Myanmar's parliament, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today emphasized the importance of partnerships amongst the country's political leadership as well as with the international community in helping the Asian country advance its process of national reconciliation and democratic transition.

"The dramatic changes sweeping Myanmar have inspired the world, and we know that your ambitions for the future reach higher still," Mr. Ban said in his remarks to the members of Myanmar's Union Assembly, during an extraordinary session of the parliament. "We know that Myanmar can meet the challenges of reconciliation, democracy and development, but it will take your full determination and your common leadership and partnership."

Earlier this month, Myanmar citizens headed to the polls to vote for representatives of 48 parliamentary seats, with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi winning a position in the lower house of parliament. The by-elections were part of a series of democratic reforms led by President Thein Sein, which began last year.

Addressing the press before leaving UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General had said that there have been "encouraging" political and economic reforms over the past year-and-a-half in the South-east Asian nation, including the recent elections and important steps toward reconciliation.

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