Myanmar's President Thein Sein will embark on a historic visit to America on May 20 as US President Barack Obama continues to encourage reforms in that nation while it ushers in democratic changes.
"The President looks forward to discussing with President Thein Sein the many remaining challenges to efforts to develop democracy, address communal and ethnic tensions, and bring economic opportunity to the people of his country, and to exploring how the US can help," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
Thein Sein's visit underscores Obama's commitment to supporting and assisting those governments that make the important decision to embrace reform, and highlights the dedication of the US to helping the Burmese people realise the full potential of their extraordinary country, Carney said in a statement.
Carney said Obama will welcome Thein Sein, a former general, to the White House on May 20.
"Since Obama's historic trip to Rangoon (Yangon) last November, the US has continued to advocate for continued progress on reform by Thein Sein's government, in close cooperation with Aung San Suu Kyi, civil society leaders, and the international community," he said.
"The President looks forward to discussing with President Thein Sein the many remaining challenges to efforts to develop democracy, address communal and ethnic tensions, and bring economic opportunity to the people of his country, and to exploring how the US can help," Carney said.
In addition to his meetings with Obama at the White House, Thein Sein would also meet US lawmakers and is scheduled to address the Washington audience at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
He will speak about 'Myanmar in Transition: US-Myanmar Bilateral Relations'.
Thein Sein's landmark visit, the first from the country since 1966, follows the US president's own visit to Myanmar in November.
Washington has suspended most sanctions on Myanmar as part of a diplomatic drive the Asian nation launched in 2009 to provide incentives for reforms.
