Musharraf's Myanmar visit aimed at closer ties

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 28. The Pakistan military ruler and Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, is leaving on a five-day visit to Myanmar and Vietnam from May 1. In the course of his visit, he is expected to exchange views on several issues of regional and global concern with leaders of both the countries.

Pakistan is attaching a great deal of importance to the visit, particularly in view of the recent efforts by India to forge closer ties with Myanmar. Gen. Musharraf would be accompanied by Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Tariq Ikram, Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau and Mr. Inam ul Haque, Foreign Secretary.

``The visit is intended to reaffirm Pakistan's close and cordial ties with Myanmar and Vietnam. It also reflects Pakistan's desire to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with the countries of the region. Businessmen delegations from Pakistan will visit Myanmar and Vietnam concurrently to explore possibilities of enhanced trade and investment,'' an official statement said here.

The Chief Executive's visit to Myanmar will be the first by a Pakistani Head of Government since that of the President of Pakistan in 1985. While in Myanmar, Gen. Musharraf would hold meetings with the Senior General, Mr. Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the SPDC. He will also lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and visit defence services academies at Mandalay.

The Chief Executive's programme at Vietnam includes a call on the President, Mr. Tran Duc Luong, and talks with the Prime Minister, Mr. Phan Van Khai. The Chief Executive will also be laying a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

``Pakistan has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations with Myanmar and Vietnam and has a similarity of views with the two countries on many issues of regional and global concern. The forthcoming visit of the Chief Executive will provide an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest at the highest level and identify areas of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic, commercial and other fields,'' the official statement said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Ready for talks with India, says Pak.
Next     : Karmapa 'confused' by curbs on visit to Rumtek