Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Myanmar is interested to learn Indonesia`s experience in developing democracy which is considered successful and smooth involving all parties, Indonesia`s foreign minister Marty Natalegawa said.

Marty made the statement at a press conference after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with Myanmar`s President Thein Sein here on Thursday.

"Myanmar`s president has shared information with President Yudhoyono regarding the development in Myanmar with regard to the road map to democracy, the recent general elections and the formation of the new government on March 30. His explanation describes efforts in transitional process," he said.

Marty said Indonesia had expressed its support and appreciation and had encouraged Myanmar to continue the process including national reconciliation.

"With regard to it Indonesia and Myanmar saw facts in Indonesia in the position of sharing the experience with Myanmar regarding the process towards democracy. And therefore in the discussion just now President Sein had expressed openness and hope for experience sharing," he said.

Besides discussing development in Myanmar the meeting that lasted more than an hour also discussed efforts to increase relations between the two countries through increased exchange of visits by officials from the two countries.

"They agreed to increase exchange of visits by heads of state, government officials and ministers. President Yudhoyono especially emphasized the need to revive the joint commission forum of foreign ministers to study and encourage more substantive bilateral relations," he said.

In connection with it President Yudhoyono had asked Mynamar to participate actively in the ASEAN Fair that would be held in the next ASEAN meeting in Bali.

President Yudhoyono welcome President Thein Sein in a state ceremony attended by all cabinet ministers, the defense forces commander, Admiral Agus Suhartono, the National Police chief, General Timur Pradopo and chiefs of staff of the three branches of the defense forces and other officials.

President Sein in the visit was accompanied by foreign minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and minister for development planning U Tin naing Thein.

The two leaders after the welcoming ceremony met to discuss cooperation between the two countries.

President Thein Sein is scheduled to visit Heroes` Cemetery on Friday and attend the ASEAN summit on Saturday and Sunday.

This was the first visit by President Sein to Indonesia following his election as president in the general elections in November 2010.

Thein Sein is the first head of state of the Association of Southeast Nation members to arrive in Indonesia for the summit.

The ASEAN leaders would discuss three pillars namely security, economy and social and cultural issues in the summit. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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