Pakistan, Myanmar sign MOU for regular diplomatic consultations

The MOU "will facilitate regular engagement and sustained dialogue on bilateral, regional, and international issues," Dar said at a joint press briefing.

The Myanmar delegation arrived in Islamabad on Friday at Dar's invitation for an official visit focused on "enhancing bilateral relations and promoting multi-sectoral cooperation," according to Myanmar's Foreign Ministry.

Dar said the talks "overran for one hour covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations." The discussions addressed trade, commercial ties, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on consular assistance "particularly with regard to victims of scamming gangs," Dar said. The ministers agreed to "maintain close coordination through relevant channels."

Than Swe said Myanmar plans to send a larger delegation to Pakistan to explore cooperation opportunities, during the briefing. He highlighted Myanmar's recent offshore gas discovery, which a Canadian operator estimated at 96 trillion cubic feet.

"The energy sector is very promising," Than Swe said. He described Myanmar as positioned at the center of markets containing 3.2 billion to 4 billion people across five neighboring countries and the ASEAN community.

Dar briefed his counterpart on Pakistan's Buddhist heritage and "highlighted the potential of religious tourism as a means to strengthen cultural ties."

The ministers also discussed capacity building, development cooperation, and humanitarian assistance.

"Pakistan supports a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Myanmar," Dar said. "We are confident that Myanmar can play a very positive role in creating regional reconciliation."

Than Swe referenced historical ties between the countries, noting both were under British colonial rule and that Pakistan's founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Myanmar's independence leader, Aung San, "were very closely working together for the independence of our respective countries."

The Myanmar minister invited Pakistani investors and business leaders to visit Myanmar despite what he acknowledged as "some kind of conflicts and challenges" in his country.