The cooperation between France and Myanmar is making a comeback, encouraged by the political changes in the country. The visit to Myanmar, in January 2012, of the Ministre d’État, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, made it possible to give fresh impetus to our cooperation with Myanmar. Mr.Juppé announced a tripling of France’s bilateral aid to Myanmar, in four main areas:

humanitarian and emergency aid;

 development aid;
 support for NGOs and Myanmar civil society;
 development of cultural relations.

Moreover, on 22 March 2012, the French Development Agency (AFD) was authorized to intervene in the country for four years (“country exiting a crisis” mandate).

In 2011, our total cooperation budget stood at 370,000 euros. Much of this funding was earmarked for cultural and linguistic cooperation through the French Institute in Myanmar (http://www.institutfrancais-birmanie.com/) (520 students), which in 2011 celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the French Centre in Mandalay (150 students). The initiatives of the French Institute, a privileged place for exchange and dialogue, also fall under the perspective of political change supported by close contact with civil society.

Since 2008, France has provided support for Myanmar civil society through a specific support programme for micro-projects (an annual programme allocated approximately 100,000 euros). Starting in 2012, a new social development fund totalling 500,000 euros for three years will make it possible to increase our support of civil society initiatives, around five main priorities: local capacity-building in the area of agricultural production, protection of the environment aiming at responsible sustainable development, education, health and promotion of basic rights, with priority given to local democracy and freedom of expression.

France is also financing projects in the area of food security, providing 500,000 to 800,000 euros annually, as well as emergency assistance. For the record, in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, France worked hard to help the victims, releasing aid of two million euros to fund the actions of the different NGOs present in the field, in addition to the European Union’s initiatives.

France has also been involved for many years in medical cooperation, especially in training doctors (specialized in HIV/AIDS) and associating French and Myanmar hospital structures (hospital partnerships). In the future, research partnerships (Pasteur Institute, Mérieux Foundation, IRD [Development Research Institute]) could be developed.

In the wake of Mr.Alain Juppé’s visit, the Ambassador for Asia, Mr.Jacques Valade, met, in Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar Culture and Information Minister Mr.Kyaw San, to discuss the development of cultural relations (heritage, film, museography, etc.). This visit was followed by that of Mr.Guillaume Boudy, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture and Communication, in March 2012.

Updated on 01.08.12