NAY PYI TAW, July 1 (Xinhua) — Myanmar and Thailand have voiced affirmation that the two countries will cooperate to show their relations as exemplary not only within the region but also in the international community.
It was proposed by Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi when she met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan in Nay Pyi Taw during the latter's two-day visit which ended on Thursday.
The border between the two countries does not suggest a division but sharing the development, Suu Kyi stressed.
They discussed matters relating to promotion of amity between the two peoples to brotherly ties.
At a follow-up meeting, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw emphasized the need of respect for and adherence to laws, rules and regulations by each others' citizens working in each other's countries.
In addition to stressing border stability and development, the two also pushed for an early completion of the Myawaddy Friendship Bridge to facilitate trade activities.
They also vowed to raise the two countries' bilateral trade to 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2017.
Wongsuwan also had talks with Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing on military cooperation, border security, cracking down on terrorists and drug trafficking, boundary demarcation and labor affairs.
Wongsuwan's visit was preceded by Aung San Suu Kyi's trip to Thailand on June 23-25 which was made at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
In May, Min Aung Hlaing also visited the neighboring country, bringing the two countries' military cooperation to a new high.
Thailand is a key trade partner of Myanmar with about 4.5 billion U.S. dollars bilateral trade in 2015-16, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Statistics also show that Thailand's investment in Myanmar stood at 10.5 billion U.S. dollars as of March, accounting for 16. 48 percent of the total and ranking the third in Myanmar's foreign investment line-up after China and Singapore since Myanmar opened its door in late 1988.
Myanmar and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1948 when Myanmar regained independence.
