Myanmar’s government says it “warmly welcomes” US President Barack Obama’s decision to visit the country this month, noting it will increase the momentum of democratic reform.
Obama will become the first US president to visit the once pariah nation, which is emerging from decades of military rule.
Presidential office spokesman Major Zaw Htay says he believes the “support and encouragement by the US president and American people will strengthen the commitment of President Thein Sein’s reform process to move forward without backtracking”.
Zaw Htay said on Friday that the government hopes “bilateral relations and co-operation will significantly increase after this historic visit”.
During his November 17-20 trip, Obama will also travel to Thailand and Cambodia, the latter another first for a US president. While in Cambodia, Obama will attend the East Asia Summit.
During his trip to Myanmar, Obama will also meet democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar has undergone a startling reform process launched by Thein Sein that has seen Suu Kyi, once a prisoner in her home, become a member of parliament.
