Myanmar’s President Thein Sein visits France to seek support and investment

French president Francois Hollande right, accompanies Myanmar President Thein Sein after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris Wednesday, July 17, 2013. (Photo : AP Photo/Francois Mori)

French President Francois Hollande met his Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein for talks to cement ties between their two countries here on Wednesday.

Thein Sein is paying his first state visit to France after ending his official trip to Britain, with an aim to seek further support and investment from western Europe to his country.

During their talks, the French leader urged the Myanmar president to continue the process of political transition and deepen economic reforms that began two years ago, said a statement released by Elysee Palace where the two leaders met.

He stressed the necessity of seeing that “all prisoners of conscience are released without condition and that recent intercommunal violence is fully investigated.”

Myanmar President Thein Sein, right, walks out the Elysee Palace after this meeting with France president Francois Hollande in Paris Wednesday, July 17, 2013. (Photo : AP Photo/Francois Mori)

In the one-hour meeting, the French president told his Myanmar counterpart that France is willing to provide aid to the Asian country to help it develop health and education programs.

Local media reports said a number of projects, such as possible French investment in agriculture, water management, transportation infrastructure, energy and tourism, had been discussed at the meeting.

Prior to Wednesday’s talks with Hollande, Thein Sein met with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and business representatives. He will conclude his visit and leave France on Thursday. <Xinhua/NEWSis>