00:00May I take this opportunity to thank you, President Menangulang, for accepting my invitation to visit Malaysia.
00:11Having the opportunity to have candid, constructive discussions on a wide-ranging of issues,
00:18first fore-eyed and bilaterally with ministers and key government personnel.
00:30Now, we have had excellent relations for a long time, but, of course, recent developments have somewhat blocked that sort
00:41of progress.
00:43So, I think our interest is, of course, to enhance this collaboration.
00:49We, of course, are reminded of the ASEAN mechanism, but we also understand that the President and your government
00:59have done a lot of, made a lot of efforts, not only to enhance the bilateral relations,
01:08but to have the necessary reform, policy changes, and adjustments in your own country.
01:18Of course, as we know, in any country, particularly as complex, multi-ethnic, and a wide range of differences,
01:28it is a process that we need to understand and respect, and we have already conveyed.
01:36I think in my four-eyed discussions, I'm very open and frank, and I appreciate your openness and frankness, too,
01:45because we will have to have that source of understanding to be able to further fortify our relations.
01:56One of the issues that's causing this problem or misunderstanding is the issue of domestic issues that covers democratic reform,
02:09etc.
02:09And we have heard your concerns, but I have already explained not only here, but also to my counterpart in
02:20ASEAN.
02:20When I met you in Bangkok, after the earthquake, you made certain policy statements, which is quite, to me, remarkable.
02:33For example, our field hospitals should allow any person without discrimination, that you will continue your policy to engage with
02:43all parties to avoid further escalation of violence.
02:47And, of course, I welcome then and convey to my colleagues, not only here, but also in ASEAN.
02:55But how you do it, the mechanism, of course, is up to you, as a leader of the country.
03:03But I want to just express the importance that we have never reneged from that responsibility to express our views.
03:10So, in conclusion, may I say this, that this visit, Mr. President, is very important to us,
03:17and for our two countries, and for the region.
03:22And thank you for being kind enough to accept this invitation.
03:28I wasn't sure initially, because it had been a long break.
03:32But my first meeting with you in Bangkok, I knew that it will work, because you have been very, not
03:41only candid,
03:42but you have been very willing to, you know, accommodate, listen to views, and make the necessary adjustments.
03:49And with this visit, Mr. President, I would say that we and our part in Malaysia will do whatever is
03:57possible
03:58to make sure that we enhance this collaboration, and ultimately take Myanmar as part of our community of nations
04:10without prejudice, and particularly in the context of ASEAN.
04:16But for now, the ballot really, between Malaysia and Myanmar, we should be at a higher power.
04:22So, thank you again for this visit.
