Don to discuss Rakhine plans, air deal on Myanmar visit

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai (left) shakes hands with Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a meeting in 2016 in Nay Pyi Taw. Mr Don will attend the 9th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on Tuesday in the Myanmar capital. (AP photo)

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will sign the Thailand-Myanmar Air Services Agreement and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Project on the Development of Shrimp Culture in Rakhine State during his official visit to Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.

He is visiting for the 9th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar (JC-9), which is designed to enhance relations with Myanmar.

The MoU will see Thailand funding the reconstruction of the Shrimp Culture Demonstration Centre in Sittwe, Myanmar.

The MoU is aimed at laying the groundwork for Thailand's cooperation in long-term, sustainable development in Rakhine state.

Minister Don will meet Myanmar's Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin to discuss a wide ranges of issues, including security, border, and labour cooperation; measures against human trafficking, money laundering, and drug smuggling; and new cooperation opportunities, according to a document approved by the cabinet last Tuesday.

They will also touch on the situation in Rakhine state, as well as the peace process and national reconciliation in Myanmar.

On trade and investment, the two will discuss efforts to identify and eliminate trade barriers, and promote trade and investment, particularly in border areas. Both sides are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to doubling the current trade volume as iterated by President U Win Myint of Myanmar during his official visit to Thailand last year.

After the meeting, the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand-Myanmar Diplomatic Relations will be celebrated, with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi scheduled to attend to honour the occasion.

To further strengthen the partnership between Thailand and Myanmar, the governments will reaffirm the need to exchange high-level and ministerial visits to enhance relationships and multi-dimensional cooperation.

The Myanmar government also expects to extend an invitation to Gen Prayut to pay an official visit to Myanmar, according to the document.

The Eighth Meeting of the Thailand-Myanmar Joint Commission, hosted by Thailand, was held in Chiang Mai in July 2015. The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Thailand next year. Thailand was the first country that the current Myanmar government held such meetings with.