‘Our first priority is democracy and peace’: Myanmar’s new president Min Aung Hlaing vows ASEAN normalization
Myanmar’s newly sworn-in President Min Aung Hlaing said in his first inaugural speech in parliament on Friday that his government had “many challenges to overcome” and would seek to normalize relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech in the capital Naypyitaw that “Myanmar is now on the road to democracy, but the new government still has many challenges to overcome.” The speech lasted less than 20 minutes and was attended by more than 50 foreign guests.“Our first priority is democracy and peace,” he added.
“Strengthening international relations”
The former junta leader said his government would work to strengthen Myanmar’s standing on the global stage.“We will strengthen international relations and strive to restore normal relations with ASEAN,” he said.The 2021 coup and subsequent crackdown by troops under Min Aung Hlaing led the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to intervene and later ban the junta leader from attending its summit.
A roadmap based on democracy and federalism
Min Aung Hlaing said his government will focus on stimulating foreign investment, developing agriculture and formulating effective long-term strategic plans.“The new government will implement a road map based on democracy and federalism,” he said.
Transition from General to President
Min Aung Hlaing was elected president by parliament a week ago, formalizing his grip on political power in war-torn Myanmar five years after he led a coup that plunged the country into chaos.His carefully crafted journey from top general to civilian president follows a recent election that a military-backed party won in a landslide but was derided by critics and Western governments as a sham designed to perpetuate military rule under the veneer of democracy.
