Myanmar backs Thailand's roadmap

BANGKOK, July 4 (TNA) - Myanmar has expressed its support for Thailand's roadmap towards national reform, reconciliation and democracy, worked out by the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Myanmar Supreme Commander Senior General Min Aung Hlaing voiced the support on Friday, during his two-day official visit to Thailand, scheduled for July 3-4, as a guest of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. After considering the NCPO’s roadmap, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told his Thai counterpart General Thanasak Patimapragorn, who is also a deputy NCPO chief, that he was confident the roadmap would be successful, saying he views what the Thai military is doing is most appropriate, as the most important tasks for the military are to defence and ensure public and national security. The Myanmar supreme commander also thanked Thailand for providing know-how and giving useful self-sufficiency economy knowledge, advised by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to Myanmar farmers and people. General Thanasak then told his Myanmar counterpart that Thailand provides welfare to Myanmar migrant workers in accordance with Thai laws and human rights principles. The Thai armed forces chief also stated that military cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar remain unchanged, covering measures to solve security problems along the common border, educational exchange programs between Thai and Myanmar soldiers, joint military exercise, joint economic development plans and other cooperative programs in the lead-up to the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Earlier in the day, the Myanmar armed forces chief paid a courtesy call on Thai Stateman and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, who is also a former prime minister, at his Si Sao Theves residence in Bangkok, where General Prem hosted lunch for him and presented him souvenirs. The Myanmar supreme commander later met Thai NCPO and Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. (TNA)