The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Vice Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council Senior Vice-General Maung Aye left here for home yesterday ending a three-day high-profile visit to Bangladesh seen as a landmark event in bilateral ties between the two neighbours.

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed and senior civil and military officials saw him off at Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport in the afternoon as a special flight of Myanmar's Air Bagan airlines flew him back home along with his delegation.

"His visit has opened up a new chapter in bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar," Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told the media as he saw Maung Aye off here earlier for the trip to Rangamati on the last day of his tour.

During the tour, Aye held bilateral talks with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed while the Myanmar ministers held meetings with their Bangladesh counterparts to strengthen cooperation in different areas including commerce, energy, foreign relations and home affairs.

The business delegation accompanying the general also held talks with Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The two countries reviewed prospects of intensified bilateral cooperation as Aye called on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban a day after his talks with the chief adviser.

Aye also visited army headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment where he discussed with the Bangladesh army chief matters of bilateral issues.

On the last of his visit, the Myanmar leader flew to Rangamati in an air force helicopter and enjoyed a cruise in the lake there in an army vessel and a cultural show on board.