MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Myanmar President U Thein Sein will forge a visa exemption agreement, among others, in a historic meeting between the two leaders on Thursday, December 5.

Thein Sein arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday afternoon, December 4, for a 3-day state visit.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said Aquino and Thein Sein will hold bilateral talks. Then, the two leaders will sign the following agreements: 

• cooperation on trade and investments

• agreement on food security and agriculture

• agreement on renewable energy

• agreement on information cooperation (in the field of news exchange, radio and television broadcasting, film industries, public relations, and printing and publishing); and

• agreement on visa exemption of ordinary passport holders

The statement didn’t provide details.

Under the current rules, the Philippines allows Myanmar nationals to enter the Philippines without a visa for a 30-day period.

Myanmar, on the other hand, requires a visa “on arrival” from ordinary passport holders from the Philippines. It is good for 28 days.

The two leaders will also discuss regional issues. These include Myanmar’s historic chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014. (Watch more in the video below.)

It was in 2005 when a Myanmar head of state, then Prime Minister Soe Win, last visited the Philippines.

Thein Sein’s 3-day state visit is his first trip to the Philippines since he assumed office in 2011.

Some of his constituents consider Thein Sein, a former military leader, as a moderate and reformist in the post-junta government. (READ: Myanmar: Prison, parliament and the Internet.) – Rappler.com