Obama praises Thein Sein for Myanmar's progress
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Washington - US President Barack Obama praised Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday for leading his country in a "new direction" as the leaders met for the first visit to the White House by a leader of the Asian nation in decades.
Obama noted a shift in relations between the countries due to political and economic reforms in Myanmar and the resulting lifting of many US sanctions.
The leaders met in the Oval Office in the latest sign of warming relations between the two countries, after a visit by Obama in November to Myanmar.
"We very much appreciate your efforts and leadership in leading Myanmar in a new direction, and we want you to know that the United States will make every effort to assist you on what I know is a long and sometimes difficult but ultimately correct path to follow," Obama said.//DPA
