May 21, 2007, 8:47 GMT
Phnom Penh - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen left Phnom Penh Monday for a three-day official visit to Myanmar aimed at improving trade and strengthening ties between the two nations.
He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Tourism Minister Thong Kong and Commerce Minister Cham Prasith.
A spokesman for the prime minister's office told reporters that the visit to Rangoon was aimed at boosting relations between the two members of the 10-nation Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
'He will meet with the top officials in Myanmar to look at ways to boost trade, tourism and bilateral relations,' the spokesman said.
Opponents of Myanmar's oppressive military junta have discouraged tourists from visiting, saying it only lines the government's coffers.
However, tourism is one of Cambodia's few boom industries, and it has actively sought to increase inter-ASEAN tourism opportunities in the past.
Cambodia has consistently declined to become embroiled in the debate over Myanmar's government, preferring the official ASEAN line that domestic politics are internal affairs for each member to manage themselves.
The spokesman for the prime minister's office did not comment on whether oil- and natural gas-management issues would be discussed during Hun Sen's visit.
Although poor, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has large reserves of fossil fuels, which have drawn fierce competition from China and India. Cambodia was expected to begin tapping potentially rich offshore fields itself within two years and has said it is seeking international input on management and sales of its new asset.
ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Your Talkback on this Story