Myanmar President arrives in Malaysia for first state visit

Myanmar President U Thein Sein had arrived today on a two-day maiden state visit to Malaysia. – Reuters pic, March 12, 2015. 

Myanmar President U Thein Sein arrived today on a two-day maiden state visit to Malaysia. He was accompanied by wife, Daw Khin Khin Win, on the visit at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. 

Thein Sein was received upon arrival by foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport (KLIA) at 12.50 pm. He had flown in by a Myanmar Airways International chartered flight.  

Also at the airport to greet him were minister in the Prime Minister's department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, who is the minister-in-attendance, and Myanmar ambassador to Malaysia U Zaw Myint. 

The Myanmar president walked past two officers and 26 personnel from the 6th Royal Ranger Regiment who stood on both sides of the red carpet. They were led by Capt Mohd Azwan Arif Mohd Azahari. 

A Wisma Putra statement said Thein Sein, who became the President of Myanmar in 2011, and his wife would have an audience with Tuanku Abdul Halim and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah. 

Thein Sein is also scheduled to have a restricted meeting with Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and a delegation meeting before attending an official luncheon hosted by Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. 

The statement said Thein Sein and Najib were expected to discuss the latest developments on the bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Malaysia, besides exchanging views on regional issues. 

Myanmar is Malaysia's 38th largest trading partner globally and seventh largest trading partner among the ASEAN member countries, with total trade between the two countries recorded at RM3.18 billion last year.  – Bernama