French FM to embark on four-day visit to Myanmar

Naypyidaw French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will visit Myanmar from June 16 to 19, according to the French embassy in Yangon.

First secretary at the French embassy, Sonia Tebbakh, said Ayrault is expected to meet several high-level officials, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Su Kyi and President U Htin Kyaw, in Nay Pyi Taw on the morning of June 17, reported The Myanmar Times.

The foreign minister will also meet Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Minister for Energy and Electricity U Pe Zin Tun in Nay Pyi Taw on the same day.

The purpose of the visit is to renew the French support in favour of the democratic transition in Myanmar and announce the financial involvement of French development aid, Tebbakh added.

Ayrault is also scheduled to meet U Pyo Min Thein, the Yangon Region Chief Minister, French NGOs and businesses, and Myanmar civil society organisations in Yangon.

This will be the first visit by a representative of the French government to Myanmar since the National League for Democracy government came to power in February. (ANI)