Bilateral Relations

Myanmar and Italy

The bilateral relations between Italy and Myanmar have a long history. A backward time travel to retreat the first step of the mutual bonds, since 1872, Treaty of Amity and Trade around 150 years ago has laid down the foundation and common prospects for the future development of relations. Chief Minister Kinwun Mingyi made goodwill visits to Italy twice. Myanmar youths were sent to Italy to study as an effort to modernise Myanmar and Italian engineers-built forts, design and construction of the Mandalay Zei Cho Market. It is known that the first printing in Myanmar Characters was done in Italy. Some Myanmar ancient artworks can also be found in the Asian collection of the Italian Museums.
After independence, Italian missionaries visited Myanmar and one of the Italian citizens who came to Myanmar to study and practice Buddhism, later, become a monk named U Lokanahta and passed away in Myanmar.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were started to establish in November 1950. In the earlier periods, Myanmar Ambassadors to Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and West Germany were accredited as non-resident Ambassadors to Rome, Italy. In 1962, the level was upgraded to the Embassy level and at the same time, both sides opened their Embassies in the respective capitals. Since 1955, 17 Myanmar Ambassadors to Italy and 20 Italian Ambassadors to Myanmar have been appointed.
Myanmar is engaging in cultural cooperation with Italy. Italy is providing assistance in registering Myanmar’s cultural heritage as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Pu City was successfully added to the World Heritage List in collaboration with Italy and UNESCO in 2014. Italy has been a very supportive in conservation of Myanmar’s cultural heritage and has provided capacity building projects launched in cooperation with the UNESCO. Italy also provided technical assistance by dispatching archeologists to UNESCO’s World Heritage enlisted Myanmar’s cultural city states of Pyu, Hanlin, Beikthano and Tharay Khit Tara. Italy has also been assisting in conservation of urban heritages in Yangon. A school of Archaeology in Pyae was established with the support of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lerici Foundation, and Italian cultural organisation.