Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to Myanmar on March 12 at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin.

During his visit, Minh paid a courtesy visit to President Thein Sein who was accompanied by his ministers of foreign affairs, industry, commerce, finance and chief of the President’s office.

At the reception, President Thein Sein expressed his pleasure at the sound development of the friendship and multifaceted relations between the two countries and appreciated the frequent exchange visits between the two-side high ranking delegations.

He agreed that two countries should continue to boost cooperation in the bilateral relationship as well as in regional and international affairs which both sides, were interested in.

Minh forwarded the best regards from President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to President Thein Sein.

He affirmed Vietnam ’s consistent policy of strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation with Myanmar , adding that Vietnam was actively preparing for the upcoming visit of Thein Sein to Vietnam .

Minh also took this occasion to express his thanks and asked the Myanmar Government to continue providing favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses seeking investment opportunities in Myanmar .

The two sides agreed that there should be more exchange of delegations between the two countries to induce closeness and trust as well as draw out the major guidelines for the development of a bilateral relationship.

Both ministers concurred on the need to further implement high-level agreements and spoke highly of the role of some mechanisms such as the joint commissions and political consultations between the two foreign ministries in consolidating the development of the two countries.

Vietnam and Myanmar needed to promote further cooperation in terms of economics, trade and investment. Particularly, the two sides should hold the sixth meeting of the Trade Sub-Committee and kick off Vietnamese investment projects in Myanmar .

Both sides will continue to work together at international and regional forums and affirm that along with other ASEAN members, they would build a unitary and solid ASEAN Community by 2015.

Minh said Vietnam fully supports Myanmar to hold the ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2014. The two sides discussed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea , with disputes settled in peaceful ways in accordance with international laws.

Vietnam also welcomes Myanmar ’s bid toward participating in the international Mekong River Commission toward the more sustainable use of this river.-VNA