The following joint press statement was released during the state visit of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing to the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the invitation of President of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Khamtay Siphandone and wife Madame Thongvan.

1. H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar and Spouse Daw Kyaing Kyaing paid a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 5 to 7 May 2003 at the invitation of H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

2. H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic met with H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar in an atmosphere of cordial friendship and mutual understanding.

3. H.E Samane Vignaket, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and H.E Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic paid courtesy calls on H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar respectively.

4. During his visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, H.E Senior General Than Shwe laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldiers Monument and visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, important historical and cultural places in Vientiane Municipality and Champassaek Province.

5. During their discussions, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the growing bonds of traditional and neighbouring friendly relations existing between the two countries and peoples of Laos and Myanmar. The two leaders highly valued the success of cooperation and mutual assistance in the spheres of politics, security, economy, trade and socio-culture, bringing about tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

6. They expressed their appreciation of the successful conclusion of the 6th Meeting of the Laos-Myanmar joint commission for Bilateral cooperation held under the co-chairmanship of the two ministers of Foreign Affairs.

7. During the visit, the two Heads of State witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the Promotion and the Protection of Investment between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar.

8. The two Heads of State exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interests and concurred that while the international and regional situation continues to undergo swift and complex changes, the tendency for peace and cooperation for development still prevails. The two leaders stressed the need to enhance cooperation on security and other areas, bilaterally and multilaterally, for the maintenance of peace, stability, security and prosperity of the two countries as well as of the region and the world at large. Both leaders shared the view that peace, stability and security in Iraq should be restored quickly. Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination of the Iraqi people must be upheld. Both leaders shared the view that United Nations should play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq.

9. The President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic highly appreciated the visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar and viewed it as an impetus to further enhancing friendly relations and cooperation between the peoples of Laos and Myanmar as well as an important contribution to the strong cohesiveness in the ASEAN family. Both sides agreed to pursue regular exchange of high level visits.

10. The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar expressed his sincere gratitude to the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Government and the Laos people for the warm, cordial and gracious hospitality extended to him and his spouse as well as to the Myanmar delegation.

11. H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar extended an invitation to H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao PDR and his spouse to pay a visit to the Union of Myanmar. The President of the Lao PDR accepted the invitation with pleasure. The dates of the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.