Laos and Myanmar have agreed to deepen cooperation in a broad range of fields and build the first Mekong Friendship Bridge between the two countries to spur trade at both the bilateral and regional levels.
President Choummaly Sayasone ( left ) and Myanmar President U Thein Sein inspect a guard of honour in Vientiane yesterday.
The agreement was reached yesterday as Myanmar President U Thein Sein arrived in Vientiane for a two-day state visit to Laos in response to an invitation from his Lao counterpart Choummaly Sayasone.
An official welcoming ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace attended by President Choummaly and high-level Lao officials.
In their bilateral talks held shortly after inspecting a guard of honour, the two presidents reached consensus on the need to reopen direct flights between Vientiane and either Yangon or Nay Pyi Taw in the near future to facilita te cooperation and boost tourism.
Both sides agreed on the need to work together further to maintain security to ensure a border of peace, friendship and joint development for the wellbeing of the two peoples.
The leaders accorded that both sides should cooperate in agriculture to meet the growing demand for food.
President Choummaly proposed that both sides strengthen the role of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation to create a mechanism to boost trade and investment between the two neighbours.
“Importantly, both sides should push towards realising the construction of the Friendship Bridge,” the Lao president said.
He recommended boosting cooperation in industries in which Laos and Myanmar have investment potential, such as mining and agriculture.
The Lao president called for increased cooperation in the sphere education, including the exchange of scholarships and training to transfer know-how among both sides' technical staff in various fields.
In response to President Choummaly's proposal regarding whether Myanmar could join the Mekong River Commission as a permanent member, the Myanmar president gave a positive response.
President Choummaly represented the Lao government and people to express gratitude to the government and people of Myanmar for their previous assistance, support and cooperation extended to Laos.
He reaffirmed Laos' support for Myanmar's roadma p to create national conciliation.
“We are confident that the government and people of Myanmar will be able to overcome any difficulties and reach their desired destination,” he said.
The Lao government also threw its support behind Myanmar's future contributions in the regional and international arenas, especially its planned hosting of the South East Asia Games next year and presidency of Asean in 2014.
President Choummaly informed his guest that Laos is preparing to host the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane in November and invited President U Thein Sein to attend the meeting.
For his part, President U Thein Sein thanked the Lao government and people for their support in the regional and international arenas, and advised that Myanmar is preparing for a bi-election on April 1.
He expressed heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Laos for the welcome extended to him and his delegation.
Both sides hailed the growing friendly relations between the two countries as bringing benefit to both peoples.
The two presidents congratulated each other on the progress of their respective countries in improving the living conditions of their peoples.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact and conduct exchange visits of leaders.
Former Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, paid a state visit to Laos in October 2010.
President Choummaly said he highly valued the visit of President U Thein Sein, explaining that it was significant in further enhancing the sound friendly relations between both sides.
Laos and Myanmar established diplomatic ties on July 12, 1955.
After yesterday's talks, the presidents witnessed the signing of an agreement to build a Friendship Bridge to link Xiengkok in Luang Namtha province, Laos, and Kainglap in Myanmar.
The agreement was signed by Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommad Pholsena and Myanmar Minister of Construction U Khin Maung Myint.
President Choummaly hosted a banquet to honour President U Thein Sein and his delegation.
