Japan will hold working-level talks with Myanmar next week toward resuming official development aid to the country.

After replacing the former military government in March, Myanmar's new government started releasing political prisoners and began efforts to make legal revisions to allow the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi to participate in elections.

In recognition of the democratization efforts, the Japanese government has decided to hold talks with Myanmar's government on resuming ODA. Japan suspended new grants to Myanmar in principle after the former military government detained Aung San Suu Kyi 8 years ago.

Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told reporters on Tuesday that steady progress toward democratization is being made in Myanmar and it is important not to miss the chance to help rebuild the country's economy. He stressed Japan must contribute so as not to let the process of democratization go backward.

The working-level talks will be held on Monday in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw. Japan will send officials from the foreign and other ministries and agencies. They will look into the feasibility of projects mainly in the agriculture and health fields.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111124_03.html

Image credit: http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/bilateral/image/ODA_logo.jpg