Myanmar and the European Union (EU) will use forum as a mechanism to step up bilateral relations, said a press release following the first ever Myanmar-EU forum which wrapped up in Nay Pyi Taw on June 20.
During the two-day forum, the two sides discussed cooperation and priorities for the future with focus placed on the implementation of the March 2013 joint statement on "Building a Lasting EU-Myanmar Partnership" agreed by Myanmar President U Thein Sein, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, said the release.
The two sides agreed to hold the next forum in Brussels in 2014 to exchange views on political and economic developments in Myanmar and in the EU as well as on regional and international issues.
Previously, in April this year, EU lifted remaining sanctions against Myanmar, excluding the embargo on arms - a move that EU said would further elevate bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and EU member countries as well as Myanmar's relations with the EU as a bloc.
According to official figures, as of February 2013, EU's investment in Myanmar reached about 3.8 billion USD.
Two-way trade between Myanmar and EU stood at about 226.37 million USD in 2012, of which Myanmar raked in 43.54 million USD from exports to the bloc while spending 182.83 million USD on imports from the 27-member union.-VNA
During the two-day forum, the two sides discussed cooperation and priorities for the future with focus placed on the implementation of the March 2013 joint statement on "Building a Lasting EU-Myanmar Partnership" agreed by Myanmar President U Thein Sein, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, said the release.
The two sides agreed to hold the next forum in Brussels in 2014 to exchange views on political and economic developments in Myanmar and in the EU as well as on regional and international issues.
Previously, in April this year, EU lifted remaining sanctions against Myanmar, excluding the embargo on arms - a move that EU said would further elevate bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and EU member countries as well as Myanmar's relations with the EU as a bloc.
According to official figures, as of February 2013, EU's investment in Myanmar reached about 3.8 billion USD.
Two-way trade between Myanmar and EU stood at about 226.37 million USD in 2012, of which Myanmar raked in 43.54 million USD from exports to the bloc while spending 182.83 million USD on imports from the 27-member union.-VNA
