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Myanmar's reforms bring int'l praise, but questions remain
The political and economic opening fostered by the former military junta in Myanmar has gained praise from Tokyo to Brussels, with the world readying itself for a new chapter in relations with the Southeast Asian country
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he political and economic opening fostered by the former military junta in Myanmar has gained praise from Tokyo to Brussels, with the world readying itself for a new chapter in relations with the Southeast Asian country.
Tokyo immediately extended its first loan in 26 years and canceled the remainder of Myanmar's debt. The loan agreement of ¥51 billion (US$504 million) was signed in Naypyitaw on Sunday during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Myanmar ' the first Japanese leader to visit in 36 years.
'The government of Japan considers it important to continue to back up the progress of Myanmar's reforms and will continue its support to Myanmar,' said a Japanese Foreign Ministry statement, as quoted by The Associated Press.
Days earlier, US President Barack Obama praised Myanmar's economic and political reforms during President Thein Sein's visit to Washington. The US appreciated Myanmar's reforms, which it called 'transformative and deserving of support'.
In a new US measure to support reform, the US and Myanmar signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to boost trade, labor standards and investment.
Change is sweeping Myanmar in an array of reforms that include scrapping media censorship, legalizing trade unions and protests, enacting a new Foreign Investment Law and allowing more freedom for political activists and parties. These have been taking place since a reformist government took office in March 2011.
'What has allowed this shift in relations is the leadership that President Sein has shown in moving Myanmar down a path of both political and economic reform,' Obama said.
In a nod to political reforms, the White House even acknowledged it was employing the name 'Myanmar' more often than before. In the past, the White House refused to acknowledge the country's change of name from Burma to Myanmar made in the late 1980s by the country's military rulers.
The European Union (EU) also praised the country's impressive change. In March, the Myanmar leader visited Brussels at the invitation of the EU. His visit was successful, culminating in a joint statement with the EU President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and the commission's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
The EU's director for South and Southeast Asia, Ugo Astuto, underlined that Myanmar had made enormous efforts toward transition, more open system of government and economic reform. 'It's seen momentous changes since 2011,' he told The Jakarta Post during his visit to Jakarta.
'These challenges are recognized and we are ready to support in order to foster the transition and reach common objectives,' he added.
However, significant challenges lie ahead, such as the protection of minorities, release of all political prisoners and national reconciliation.
'It's a challenging agenda. But we are ready for a partnership and will try to support Myanmar to achieve its objectives,' Astuto assured.
Myanmar's Ambassador to Indonesia Min Lwin acknowledged changes had been taking place but many more had to be pursued by the nation. 'Myanmar is now a democratic state, but we are still struggling to be a full-fledged democracy,' he told the Post.
He appreciated support from countries and institutions across the globe, including ASEAN, which was very supportive even in difficult times, saying that international backing was essential in helping the country's development, including for its capacity building and infrastructure for the upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2014.
Besides a genuine appreciation and stronger interest in the economy, analysts also argue that huge support could be seen as a way of counterbalancing the growing economic and military might of China and to retain the North Korean influence on Myanmar.
International relations expert Dwi Ardhanariswari Sundrijo of the University of Indonesia said enormous support for Myanmar's reforms was significant for ensuring peace and stability in the region, since Myanmar was geographically in China's backyard and had close relations with Pyongyang.
Therefore, she said, the country needed to balance the interest of US and China and utilize opportunities as well as challenges.
'The important thing is the Myanmar government manages well the global support in moving the country forward for the sake of its people. We hope that this reform is not merely lip service,' Dwi noted.
