It is believed that mutual respect and understanding, and bilateral friendly ties can be further strengthened by holding meetings like the 7th High Level Committee Meeting between Myanmar and Thailand, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

The remarks came from the opening speech of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to the 7th High Level Committee Meeting at The Peninsular hotel Sakuntala in Bangkok on September 3.

At the meeting, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chief of Defence Forces of Royal Thai Armed Forces General Ponpipaat Benyasri made opening speeches respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Defence Forces of Royal Thai Armed Forces General Ponpipaat Benyasri expressed his sorrow over loss and suffering of Myanmar people that resulted from the natural disasters occurred early August. Thailand and Myanmar have good neighbouring relations historically and geographically. Thailand-Myanmar High Level Committee Meeting is of great importance between two armed forces and it is believed that the meeting could help promote cooperation in border region security and development.

Next, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar and Thailand are good neighbours and have established bilateral friendly relations since a long time. So as to gear up relations between two armed forces, the high level meeting has been held in Thailand since 2013 in addition to the meeting at the region and the township levels. The meeting is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two armed forces, providing guidance on military cooperation in tackling with the matters relating to border region security, improving socio-economic life of the people residing on the border area and maintaining peace and stability.  It is believed that mutual respect and understanding, and bilateral friendly ties can be further strengthened by holding meetings like the 7th High Level Committee Meeting between Myanmar and Thailand.

Afterwards, Lt.Gen Chalongchai Chaiyakam, Commander of No 3 Military Division, made clarifications of the results of the 33rd regional border committee meeting and Lt.Gen Kumron Kearwichyajane, Secretary of the HLC, joint efforts between two armed forces.

Then, the matters discussed by the chairmen of the 7th High Level Committee Meeting were confirmed, according to the Office of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut