Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is now in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on a goodwill visit at the invitation of Minister of National Defence of Laos Lieutenant General Chansamone CHANYALATH.

The senior general paid a courtesy call on Laotian President Bounnhang VORACHITH at the Presidential House in Vientiane on the afternoon of October 11, according to an announcement from Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Laotian President said the relations between Laos and Myanmar governments as well as between the two armed forces are improving. He hoped the visit of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar will further strengthen the existing bilateral relations and cooperation, the announcement said.

The Senior General expressed his thanks to the President for the acceptance of the delegation’s visit. He then conveyed the Myanmar President’s message on wishing for improved bilateral relations. The Senior General said Myanmar and Laos are inseparable good neighbours and friends. Myanmar is continuing to maintain and improve the fine tradition of good relations by exchanging visits between leaders of the two countries since Myanmar has regained independence. He said he and the Laotian Minister of National Defence exchanged views on the friendship between the two countries, bilateral cooperation between the two armed forces and security cooperation, and agreements were reached during the visit.

Both sides then cordially discussed Myanmar’s political situations, Laotian support for Myanmar’s efforts to seek solutions in a fair and just manner, border peace and stability, good contacts through border, improvement of regional trade through bilateral trade, cooperation in development of tourism industry, the Tatmadaw’s strenuous efforts for achieving eternal peace, anti-narcotics issue on the border and prevention of illegal trade, exchange of visits between the two armed forces and continued sustainable cooperation, exchange of visits between military cultural troupes and matters related to socio-economic development of people from both countries, said the announcement.

The Senior General was welcomed with the Guard of Honour by the Laotian Minister for Defence at the Lao Ministry of Defence on the morning of October 11.

Both sides cordially exchanged views on promotion of friendly ties between the two armed forces of the two countries, training affairs and exchange of medical technological experiences, exchange of goodwill visits of two armed forces at different levels, and beefing up the border trade.

The Senior General laid a wreath at the Laos Memorial and paid tribute.

The delegation also visited No .497 Infantry Battalion of the Lao People’s Armed Force, it said.