Schwarzenberg offers Czech help to Burma, meets president

Naypyidaw, Burma, July 18 (CTK) - Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg discussed help to Burmese children and cooperation in education and health care during his current visit to Burma Wednesday, spokesman Vit Kolar has said.

He was also received by Burmese President Thein Sein.

Schwarzenberg conducted talks with Foreign Minister Wunna Maun Lwin and parliamentary representatives.

Schwarzenberg unveiled the Czech Medevac programme under which ill Burmese children may have access to specialised surgeries and treatment in the Czech Republic, Kolar said.

On Thursday, the first three children will be flown to Prague where they will undergo heart surgeries, he added.

Schwarzenberg also discussed the programme on Tuesday during his conservation with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

She asked him for continuation of the projects, especially in health care in which Burma lacked experts and equipment.

Agriculture and support to small businesses should be further spheres of aid, Suu Kyi said.

Thein Sein thanked the Czech Republic for the Medevac programme and for the offer of scholarships for Burmese specialists at Czech universities, Kolar said.

Burma is ready for investments and for a meeting with a trade delegation from the Czech Republic, he added.

In the past days, Schwarzenberg met former political prisoners and student leaders in Burma.

He wanted to know how the Czech Republic could help them in their effort and support to democracy and observance of human rights in Burma.

"I thank you for your brave attitude with which you remind us that freedom is not granted. We often forget about this after 20 years. Freedom is still threatened," Schwarzenberg has told the Burmese activists.

On Tuesday, Schwarzenberg handed a dried yellow rose to Suu Kyi.

When former Czech president Vaclav Havel died last year, Burmese opposition activists laid the flower on her behalf on the coffin of Havel who supported Suu Kyi's struggle for freedom for many years.