Thai and Myanmar leaders discuss progress of bilateral projects

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and President of Myanmar General Thein Sein discussed the progress of the Dawei sea port development project when they met on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Their discussion reportedly touched on bilateral mechanisms that would expedite cooperation agreements made between the two countries to come into concrete results. The two leaders also agreed to the establishment of a policy-level committee to jointly work on the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone. The committee will be co-chaired by a Thai deputy prime minister and a Myanmar vice president and will comprise senior government officials of both sides as members. Six sub committees will also be formed between the two countries to oversee cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and construction, industry, energy, community development, legal affairs and regulations, and finance. In this connection, Thailand and Myanmar agreed that the two sides submit a Note of Exchange to ensure the establishment of the indicated mechanism. In her discussion with the Myanmar leader, Ms. Yingluck also expressed her gratitude to Myanmar for the release of 83 Thai nationals, who were arrested in July for trespassing. From centerweb