Side by side with Myanmar
Germany and Myanmar are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.
CONGRATULATIONS. The Federal Republic of Germany and Myanmar agreed to establish diplomatic relations in 1954. The notable 60th anniversary in 2014 is being marked by numerous visits and events. Federal President Joachim Gauck visited Myanmar in mid-February, where he met with President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was an historic meeting, because the Federal President and the Nobel Peace Prize winner have both had experience in totalitarian states – Joachim Gauck with the regime in the former GDR and Aung San Suu Kyi with the generals in Myanmar. She was kept under house arrest for 15 years before the rulers introduced the reform and reconciliation process in Myanmar, a form of change from the top-down. In talks and discussions, Gauck emphasized the level of understanding he has for the country. “You can count on Germany,” said Gauck. The visit thus also fully reflected Germany’s support for the transformation process. The Federal President opened the German Industry and Commerce office and the new Goethe-Institut in Yangon.
