US President Barack Obama will make his first visit to Myanmar during
his four-day Asian tour, the White House said.
The trip from November 17-20 will include Myanmar, Thailand and
Cambodia. He will arrive in Myanmar on November 19, AFP reported.
Obama is scheduled to meet President Thein Sein and opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi. He is also expected to address civil society to
encourage Myanmar's ongoing democratic transition, according to a
statement from the White House.
"We welcome the news from the White House on the visit of President
Obama. This historic visit is meant to assure the support of
Washington to the democratisation process," Zaw Htay, director of the
President's Office, said to Eleven Media Group.
"President Thein Sein can move forward with his reform programs with
the support of Mr Obama and the United States of America without
backtracking. The government hopes bilateral relations and cooperation
will significantly increase after this historic visit,'' he added.
Nyan Win, NLD spokesman said, "The visit of US President Barack Obama
will help change processes in Myanmar. The country has not fully
enjoyed genuine change. Only senior government leaders are making the
transition process. Such situations could be presented to him during
the visit. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also discuss with Obama what's
happening on the ground and issues concerning the investment sector.''
Obama's Southeast Asian tour will end at the East Asia Summit in Phnom
Penh, Cambodia, after meeting with leaders of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
His visit marks the first ever visit of a sitting US president to
Myanmar, as part of the Washington's efforts to motivate the
resource-rich Southeast Asian country's transition to greater
political freedom.
In September, Thein Sein and Suu Kyi visited New York. The president
addressed the UN General Assembly while Suu Kyi met with Obama.
According to the White House statement, Obama will meet with Thai
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to mark 180 years of diplomatic
relations and reaffirm bilateral relations with Thailand.
It also said Obama will discuss a broad range of issues including
economic prosperity and job creation through increased trade and
partnerships, energy and security cooperation, human rights, shared
values and other issues of regional and global concern.
Under Obama's leadership, the US changed its policy towards Myanmar
leading to warmer bilateral relations. The US, as well as European
countries, gradually eased economic sanctions since Thein Sein took
office in 2011.
Derek Mitchell, the first US ambassador to Myanmar in 22 years,
arrived in Yangon in July 11. The US and Myanmar established
diplomatic relations since 1947. The US downgraded its level of
representation in Myanmar from ambassador to chargé d'affaires after
1990.
his four-day Asian tour, the White House said.
The trip from November 17-20 will include Myanmar, Thailand and
Cambodia. He will arrive in Myanmar on November 19, AFP reported.
Obama is scheduled to meet President Thein Sein and opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi. He is also expected to address civil society to
encourage Myanmar's ongoing democratic transition, according to a
statement from the White House.
"We welcome the news from the White House on the visit of President
Obama. This historic visit is meant to assure the support of
Washington to the democratisation process," Zaw Htay, director of the
President's Office, said to Eleven Media Group.
"President Thein Sein can move forward with his reform programs with
the support of Mr Obama and the United States of America without
backtracking. The government hopes bilateral relations and cooperation
will significantly increase after this historic visit,'' he added.
Nyan Win, NLD spokesman said, "The visit of US President Barack Obama
will help change processes in Myanmar. The country has not fully
enjoyed genuine change. Only senior government leaders are making the
transition process. Such situations could be presented to him during
the visit. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also discuss with Obama what's
happening on the ground and issues concerning the investment sector.''
Obama's Southeast Asian tour will end at the East Asia Summit in Phnom
Penh, Cambodia, after meeting with leaders of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
His visit marks the first ever visit of a sitting US president to
Myanmar, as part of the Washington's efforts to motivate the
resource-rich Southeast Asian country's transition to greater
political freedom.
In September, Thein Sein and Suu Kyi visited New York. The president
addressed the UN General Assembly while Suu Kyi met with Obama.
According to the White House statement, Obama will meet with Thai
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to mark 180 years of diplomatic
relations and reaffirm bilateral relations with Thailand.
It also said Obama will discuss a broad range of issues including
economic prosperity and job creation through increased trade and
partnerships, energy and security cooperation, human rights, shared
values and other issues of regional and global concern.
Under Obama's leadership, the US changed its policy towards Myanmar
leading to warmer bilateral relations. The US, as well as European
countries, gradually eased economic sanctions since Thein Sein took
office in 2011.
Derek Mitchell, the first US ambassador to Myanmar in 22 years,
arrived in Yangon in July 11. The US and Myanmar established
diplomatic relations since 1947. The US downgraded its level of
representation in Myanmar from ambassador to chargé d'affaires after
1990.