Aquino to meet Suu Kyi, Burmese president

Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at a press conference during the Asian edition of the World Economic Forum at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyitaw on Thursday, June 6, 2013. President Aquino is scheduled to meet with Suu Kyi to share insights on reforms and on how to further encourage growth in their respective countries and the region on Friday, according to Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang. AP PHOTO/KHIN MAUNG WIN

NAYPYITAW, Burma—President Aquino will meet with two powerful leaders of this second-largest state in Southeast Asia on Friday on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia.

The President, who is scheduled to arrive Friday from Manila, will proceed to the plenary at the close of the three-day WEF session.

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the President would meet with President Thein Sein, and unofficially, with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to share insights on reforms and on how to further encourage growth in their respective countries and the region.

The Philippines and Burma, officially known as Myanmar, are emerging from periods of stagnation and are trying to revive their economies, Carandang said.

“I think it’s important for us to encourage the steps of the Myanmar government in the right direction. Remember, (President Aquino) was very vocal about reforms (in Burma) and when they began their reforms, he was also one of the first leaders to express support,” he said.

“The more the international community encourages it, the more the people and the government of Myanmar see that it’s in their interest to continue the path of reform. I think the danger of backsliding diminishes,” he said.

The meeting with Suu Kyi is the first for Aquino whose family has long ties with the Burmese opposition leader.

The President’s late mother, former President Cory Aquino, was very vocal in support of Aung San, human rights and democracy in Burma.

“It’s a good time for them to meet because our two countries are now kind of in a spotlight. We have undertaken reforms in the economic sector. They have undertaken reforms economically and politically.”