Myanmar’s newly-sworn President Min Aung Hlaing delivered his first inaugural address to parliament on Friday, saying his government had “many challenges to overcome” and that he would seek to normalize relations with the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN.“Myanmar is now moving well toward democracy, but the new government has many challenges to overcome,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech that lasted less than 20 minutes in the capital Naypyitaw.“Our priorities are democracy and peace,” he said.
‘Enhance international relations’
The former junta chief said his government would work to strengthen Myanmar’s position on the global stage.“We will enhance international relations and strive to restore normal relations with ASEAN,” he said.The coup in 2021 and the ensuing crackdown by the military under the command of Min Aung Hlaing led to the intervention of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which subsequently barred the junta leadership from attending its summit.
Roadmap based on democracy and federalism
Min Aung Hlaing said his government would focus on promoting foreign investment, developing agriculture and creating effective, long-term strategic plans.“The new government will implement a roadmap 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 orchestrated rise from top general to civilian president came after a recent election won by a landslide by a military-backed party, but critics and Western governments derided it as a sham designed to maintain military rule behind the veil of democracy.
