President Thein Sein will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 20-21 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang.

This is President Sein's first visit since he was elected in March 2011. The visit is made according to the usual practices of ASEAN leaders after taking office to strengthen ties and cooperation between member countries.  

Vietnam and Myanmar established diplomatic ties on May 28, 1975 and their time-honoured friendship and comprehensive cooperation has solidified and developed since then.

Last year, the two sides exchanged several high-level visits, including Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Myanmar in December, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai’s visit in June, as well as the visit by the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces to Vietnam in November.

Bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment has grown steadily with two-way trade turnover reaching more than US$167 million in 2011, up 9.8 percent over 2010. Vietnam exported US$82. 5 million and imported US$ 84.8 million worth of goods from Myanmar last year.

In the first two months of 2012, total export earnings between the two countries hit US$28 million, a 59 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Both sides also organized trade fairs in their respective countries aiming to introduce their goods to the public.

They have regularly exchanged information about regional and international issues of mutual concern. Myanmar has always been an active member in ASEAN activities and supports ASEAN unanimity and non- interference in internal national affairs to protect its interests.

Vietnam-Myanmar relations have long been fostered by generations of leaders. President Thein Sein's upcoming visit is a fresh event to promote the celebration of the Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Year.

(VOV)