A bilateral meeting between President U Htin Kyaw and Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachit took place on 5 August. The objective of the meeting was to promote peace and stability between the two neighbors. Among the many issues discussed was the need to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries in order to more fully support each other regionally, especially in light of the recent conflict in the South China Sea.
The two heads of state also came to an agreement for the management of the Myanmar-Lao Friendship Bridge. Details of the new agreement are not yet known to the public. The bridge, which connects Eastern Shan State’s Tachileik district to Long district in the Lao province of Luang Namtha, was inaugurated in May 2015, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The bridge was expected to boost commerce between Myanmar and Laos and also allow direct trade with Thailand, Vietnam, and China. However, the bridge has remained closed to commerce as the two countries cannot agree on border demarcation. The project began in February 2013 and has cost an estimated $26 million.
