Third day session of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continued at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Complex, here, at 1 pm today, attended by Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw U Khin Aung Myint, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and 618 MPs. At the session, the establishment of diplomatic relations discussed, two bills sent back by the President along with his remarks explained and one proposal discussed. U Hla Myint Oo of Pyinmana Constituency, U Win Htein of Meiktila Constituency, Daw Khin Waing Kyi of Yangon Region Constituency No. 1, U Nyan Lin of Ayeyawady Region Constituency No. 3 discussed the establishment of diplomatic relations presented by the President which was discussed by two representatives yesterday. They discussed that it was observed that the establishment of diplomatic relations with foreign countries contributed to economic, social and defence development of the country. They absolutely believed that the current condition was the best time to march towards a democratic country with the strength of local and foreign countries. The UN Secretary-General said in his address at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, nowadays, the world needed Myanmar’s participation so as to face the global challenges. Thus, the establishment of diplomatic relations was much more appropriate usual. So, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw should agree it.

With respect to it, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint said that Myanmar had opened embassies in 34 countries, three offices, three Consulates and 37 joint offices. And Myanmar had established diplomatic relations with 71 countries and appointed the Ambassadors there. It had diplomatic relations with 103 countries. So, the number of countries would reach 111, including eight new countries. According to the report of a Hluttaw representative, there were 193 UN member countries. Continued efforts would be made to establish the diplomatic relations with the remaining countries. Thanks to the establishment of diplomatic relations, there would see more progress in multi-sector cooperation not only between two countries but also in international arena.

Hluttaw agreed the President’s submission on the establishment of diplomatic ties with Bosnia, Herzegovina, Malawi, Bhutan, UAE, Luxemburg, Latvia, Estonia and Dominican Republics, and Hluttaw’s decision will be submitted to the President.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker explained Important Goods and Services Bill and Foreign Currency Management Bill sent along with the President’s comments. After that, Joint Committee members U Ngun Maung and U Myint Tun submitted the Joint Bill Committee’s findings and comments related to the President’s comments on the Bill.

The representatives who want to discuss the President’s comments are to register their names by 4 pm on 20 July after disclosing para, sub-para and contents along with their signatures.

Important Goods and Services Bill that has been approved by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has been sent the President on 27 April in order that it can be announced as a law after the President put his signature on it. On 3 May, the President sent it along with his comments to Hluttaw. On 4 May, Foreign Currency Bill was sent to the President, and the President sent it back to Hluttaw together with his comments on 17 May. Regarding the proposal of U Tin Htut of Zalun Constituency on “to expose the confiscation of farmlands and to solve famers’ grievances in a fair way”, U Thein Tun of Amarapura Constituency, U Kyi Maung of Myittha Constituency, U Khin Maung Nyunt of Thabeikyin Constituency and U Win Myint of Pyay Constituency discussed that the new government formed Applied Farm land Allocation Scrutinizing Committee. Coordination between the departments was to be made to take rapid actions against the farmer’s issues. As to the other businesses, taxes should be imposed on trading, and collecting data and registration of ownership lists needed to be accurate. It was assumed that success would be achieved if farmers’ grievances were treated in a fair way. And the proposal was seconded.

The discussions on the proposals by the representatives will continue at fourth day session of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. A total of 45 representatives submitted their names to discuss it. The meeting came to an end at 3.20 pm, and the fourth day session will go on at 1 pm on 23 July.—