Australia’s ambassador meets SAC’s chair discusses its special envoy coming to Myanmar
3427
Khit/ Iris (NP News) – April 9
The outgoing Australian ambassador Andrea Faulkner asked Myanmar State Administration Council leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to accept Australia’s special envoy team to come to Myanmar next month for bilateral relations between the two countries.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Andrea Faulkner on April 7 in Naypyidaw as it is a tradition for an ambassador to visit the host country’s government since her term in Myanmar is due soon.
Australian Defence Attaché at Myanmar Tony Egan was involved in the meeting.
During the meeting, Ambassador Andrea Faulkner presented her proposals and requests. Australia plans to send a special envoy team to Myanmar before the next ambassador hasn’t been appointed for continuing the bilateral ties with good relationships.
“The ambassador proposed that the Australian government plans to appoint and send a special envoy team to Myanmar for building and keeping the good relationship between the two countries. For that case, the ambassador requests the caretaker government to allow the special envoy team to Myanmar,” a diplomatic source told the NP news on April 8.
The SAC information team released a meeting with the chair was discussing ways to improve bilateral cooperation.
According to the Foreign Affairs department and Trade and Investment ministry from the Australia side, the outgoing ambassador discussed releasing Mr. Sean Turnell, and issues related to the termination of violence in Myanmar, getting back to tranquility, and returning to the road to democracy.
“She asked to release Mr. Sean Turnell. The SAC’s chair explained the judicial procedures to her as I heard,” the source said.
The SAC’s chair discussed the subject related to issuing visas by Australia to the CDM joining servicemen and condemned it as it could contaminate the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
The ambassador reportedly said that she would report the related issue back to her government for ensuring to handle it properly as the visa case is used to be a priority for the refugee support services.
“Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told that he would reply about the appointment of a special envoy team when an appropriate arrangement has been made in Myanmar. The Australian ambassador said they want to send the special envoy team at end of April or early May,” said the source.
Human Rights Watch denounced the meeting between the SAC and the Australian ambassador as it recognized the SAC as the Myanmar government.
Australia stays silent about the meeting’s outcome.