Xinhua , Yangon :Myanmar and Laos formally opened the first-ever friendship bridge across the Mekong River Saturday that links Myanmar’s Tachileik in eastern Shan state and Laos’ Luang Namtha Province and the inauguration of the bridge is expected to contribute to the regional economic development.Upon completion of the bridge, the two countries are expected to see smooth and speedy road transportation and the bridge will contribute towards swift flow of commodities and better economic development.The construction project of the 691.6-meter-long bridge worth of 26 million U.S.dollars was raised during a visit to Myanmar by Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in July 2011 and the project started in February 2013.The iron bridge with two-lane motorway will be capable of withstanding 75 tons of load per vehicle.Describing the bridge as a historic milestone between the two nations, foreign ministers of the two countries said the bridge project helps create cross-border trade and ease transportation between the two nations and their neighbors including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India.Myanmar foreign minister U Wunna Maung Lwin said the Mekong subregion countries will greatly benefit from the bridge which is located on the North Economic Corridor linking the Port of Haiphong in Vietnam and the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Myanmar through Laos.The opening of the friendship bridge coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic establishment of Myanmar and Laos.Sharing a border of over 230 kilometers, the two countries established diplomatic relations in July 1955.According to official statistics, the volume of trade between Myanmar and Laos is still low compared with other neighboring countries.In drug control cooperation sector, Myanmar and Laos held their 4th Ministerial Meeting in January 2014, laying down plans for curbing illegal drug and chemical precursor smuggling in the two border areas as well as alternative development plans.The two sides also vowed at a meeting of Myanmar-Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in March this year to cooperate in ensuring security, peace and stability of the two countries, calling for prompt implementation of memorandum of understanding on cooperation in rule of law.Moreover, immigration, anti-human trafficking operation, technical exchange and control and management on overseas employees between Myanmar and Laos were also covered by their discussions.
