“Myanmar’s decision to participate in the 2015 Milan Universal Expo is an important sign of the country’s return to the international stage, and reason for Italy’s particular satisfaction”. Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi commented on the recent formalisation by the Burmese authorities of the country’s participation in the 2015 EXPO, the first event in a Western country in which Myanmar has decided to participate.
Minister Terzi, who in April was the first political representative of a European nation to visit Myanmar after the suspension of the EU sanctions, to which Italy also gave its impetus, recalled that “our country was among the first to encourage the Burmese government toward reforms, convinced that the process of national reconciliation would proceed on the principles of equal rights and opportunities for all segments of the Burmese society”.
“Today’s decision”, Terzi continued, “is a clear sign of the Burmese authorities’ recognition of the Italian government’s support for the democratic development and economic and social progress of their country, recently reiterated by President Monti to President of the Republic Thein Sein in the margins of the ASEM summit in Vientiane”.
“Participation in the 2015 EXPO”, Terzi concluded, “can promote growth in key sectors of the Burmese economy, and we hope will lead to the international community’s broad endorsement of Italy’s commitment to fostering Myanmar’s economic growth, not least by intensifying trade relations”.
