Myanmar leader in town on three-day state visit

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is scheduled to meet today with Myanmar President Thein Sein, who arrived in Manila yesterday afternoon for a three-day state visit.

The two Asian heads of state will discuss regional issues and ways to further enhance the partnership between the Philippines and Myanmar, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Aquino had invited Thein to Manila. The Myanmar leader will go to Rizal Park for wreath-laying rites at the foot of the monument of national hero, Jose Rizal, before proceeding to Malacañang.

Aquino and Thein will then meet to discuss trade and investment, agriculture, energy, cultural exchanges and information cooperation.

They will also discuss regional issues, including Myanmar’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014.

The two leaders will then witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on information cooperation, a bilateral agreement on visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports, a memorandum of agreement between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and another on renewable energy.

Aquino will host a state luncheon in honor of Thein at the Aguinaldo Room of Malacañang.

Thein will visit the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

Visit to Cebu

He will also visit typhoon-ravaged areas in Cebu. Myanmar donated seven tons of relief goods and $100,000 to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

Thein will go to Bantayan island in northern Cebu tomorrow to assess the damage brought by  Yolanda.

Thein will be welcomed at the Cebu International Airport includes Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza,  Rep. Aileen Radaza, MCIA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete, Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz of the 2nd Air Division, Philippine Air Force, and Police Regional Office 7 Director Danilo Constantino.

The state visit is Thein’s first trip to the Philippines since he assumed power in 2011. The last time a head of state from Myanmar visited the Philippines was in 2005 when Prime Minister Soe Win came to Manila.

Aquino and Thein had their first bilateral meeting in Nay Pyi Taw last June 7 when the Filipino Chief Executive attended the World Economic Forum on East Asia hosted by Myanmar. It will be the Philippines’ turn to host the forum in 2015.

The Philippines and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1956. – With Freeman