Nay Pyi Taw January 19
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, currently in Lao People’s Democratic Republic at the invitation of Minister of National Defence of Laos General Chansamone CHANYALATH met the Minister of National Defence of Laos at the ministry this morning.
Also present together with the Senior General were Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Myint Maw, Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Khin Hlaing, senior military offi cers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Myanmar Ambassador to Laos U Ko Ko Naing and Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) Col Kyaw Kyaw Min. The Lao Minister was accompanied by senior military officers from Lao People’s Armed Forces.
First, the Senior General and delegation members arrived at the Lao Ministry of National Defence and were welcomed by the Minister. They then introduced senior military officers from both countries.
The Lao Minister expressed heartfelt thanks to the delegation for attending the parade of the 70th Founding Day Anniversary of Lao People’s Armed Forces. He said the relations between the two armed forces are good and such a visit will further strengthen the existing friendship.
In his speech, the Senior General expressed thanks for being invited to attend the parade, adding that the visit was made as a gesture of showing the brotherly friendship between the two countries which have been old and friendly ones. He praised Lao People’s Armed Forces for making history by being loyal to the country in shouldering its duties. Historical records show that the Lao armed forces dutifully carried out its tasks in independence struggles and peace efforts and in addressing international issues. Myanmar’s Tatmadaw also endeavoured to regain independence and has been trying to ensure peace and stability and achieve internal peace. The Senior General said he understood the difficulties as both countries share similar history. Thus, the friendship between the two armed forces must be strengthened by sharing experiences.
He then pledged to improve the existing relations between the two countries and the two armed forces. Changes and developments have been seen in Lao as he has made many visits to the country, said the Senior General.
Afterwards, both sides cordially discussed promoting of friendship and cooperation between the two armed forces, exchange of visits of cultural troupes, cooperation in training, exchange of rank-wise visits between the two armed forces, border trade promotion and potential investment of Myanmar in Lao.
After the meeting, the Lao Minister presented a gift to the Senior General, who also presented a basket of flowers in commemoration of the 70th Founding Day Anniversary of Lao People’s Armed Forces and gifts. They then posed for documentary photo together with those present.
The Senior General and party went to the office of Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) in the afternoon. He met with families of the embassy and military attaché’s office and Myanmar officer trainees in Laos.The Senior General said Laos and Myanmar are good neighbourly and friendly countries sharing similarity in religion and culture.
Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Sri Lanka are Theravada Buddhist countries. Buddhist monks from Laos were invited to Myanmar in order to flourish Buddhism between the two countries. He expressed his hope to further cement and to promote good relations between the two countries.
He instructed them to strive for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in their respective sectors in putting investment of Myanmar in Laos and promoting trading. The Senior General stressed the need to study language of Laos, English and computer technologies in Laos they are assigned. The Senior General presented gifts for families of the embassy and the office of the military attaché and officer trainees. The ambassador and wife, the military attaché and wife and officer trainees accepted the gifts. Then, the Senior General signed the visitors’ book of the office of the military attaché (Army, Navy and Air).
On arrival at That Luang Temple, the Senior General and party paid homage to Chair of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization Maha Ngon Domrongboun. The Buddhist monk said he was delighted with Buddhist missionary of members of the Sangha from Laos who made studies in Myanmar. After having political peace and stability, Laos could carry out propagation of Theravada Buddhism but faced many difficulties. Currently, efforts are being made to build a Theravada Buddhist University as part of flourishing Buddhism in Laos. To do so, the monk requested the Senior General to give a helping hand to lecturer monks in academic matters.
The Senior General supplicated that he will inform relevant Sasana organizations and ministry about needs of lecturer monks from Laos to learn Buddhism at Theravada Buddhist University. There are five countries where the majority of peoples believe Theravada Buddhism. Myanmar is striving for propagation of Theravada Buddhism. He then invited members of the Sangha from Laos to observe matters related to Buddhism in Myanmar.
The Laotian Buddhist monk presented a Buddha image as Dhamma gift to the Senior General. Then, the Senior General and party donated offerings to members of the Sangha. The Laotian monk prayed for flourishing Buddhism and for being able persons to support the Sasana. The Senior General andparty shared merits gained.
The Senior General and party donated cash to the fund for repair of five Buddha images damaged in outbreak of fire aftervisiting That Luang Temple. These Buddha images donated by Myanmar are kept in thechamber.
At Don Chan Palace Hotel, the Senior General and party attended the dinner in their honour hosted by Laotian Deputy Minister for National Defence and Chief of Staff of the Lao People’s Army Lieutenant General Souvone LEUANGBOUNMY.
