(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzachi Hanegbi will conduct an official visit in Myanmar between August 27-29, 2014. This will be the first official visit of its kind by a senior Israeli official since the visit by then Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan in 1979.

Myanmar has a friendly and long standing relationship with Israel, beginning in the 1950’s, when Burma’s Prime Minister U Nu visited Israel (1959) and Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion reciprocated (1961).

In recent years, Myanmar is undergoing a process of democratization and national reconciliation, aimed at ending the conflicts between different ethnic groups. Myanmar, currently Chair of ASEAN, is developing its economy at an intensive pace, making it known in economic circles as the most recent “Tiger” of South East Asia. It has thus become an attractive destination for investors, including companies and businessmen from Israel.

While in Myanmar, Deputy Minister Hanegbi will meet with Foreign Minister Wanna Maung Lwin (who is also former Myanmar Ambassador to Israel), the Speaker of Parliament, and other political figures, including Nobel Peace Laureate and leader of the opposition, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. During the visit, Israel and Myanmar will sign a framework cooperation agreement in culture and sports.