YANGON, May 25 – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (photo) said Saturday his current visit to Myanmar will bring Japan-Myanmar cooperation to a higher level and provide opportunity to lay down a foundation for turning a new page in history, Xinhua new agency quoted local media reports.
Abe said he will exchange views with President U Thein Sein in a forthcoming meeting expected to take place on Sunday in Nay Pyi Taw, and engage in and offer cooperation in four areas.
For strengthening bilateral relations, Abe said Japan attaches the most importance to supporting Myanmar’s reform efforts, stressing the need that current reforms aimed at democratisation, national reconciliation and economic reforms are further promoted and solidified.
For enhancing economic relations, Japan has led the international community in announcing the cancellation of Myanmar’s delinquent debt and is among the first to announce the resumption of full-fledged assistance to Myanmar.
Abe arrived Yangon on Friday to pay a three-day official visit to the Southeast Asian nation as a Japanese prime minister in 36 years.
During his visit, Abe will also meet with opposition leader and parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi. He will also visit the planned Thilawa Economic Zone located 25 km south of Yangon in which three Japanese firms — Mitsubishi Corp., Marubeni Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. — are engaged in the zone development. Agreement on development of the Thilawa Economic Zone is expected to be signed during Abe’s visit.
-BERNAMA
