Vice-Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye left for home yesterday ending a three-day visit to Bangladesh.

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed and senior civil and military officials saw him off at Chittagong Shah A manat International Airport in the afternoon. Maung Aye left for home in a special flight of Myanmar's Air Bagan airlines.

The Myanmar leader earlier flew to Rangamati in an air force helicopter. Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury saw him off at Tejgaon helipad. FROM PAGE 1

Talking to the media, the adviser said Maung Aye's visit has opened up a new chapter in bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

He said, "General Maung Aye was accompanied by seven ministers, senior officials and businessmen. V\fe had set up meetings for most of them with their Bangladeshi counterparts. To the best of my knowledge so far, yesterday's meetings were very fruitful".

The adviser further stated that improving relationship with neighbours is a key cornerstone of Bangladesh's foreign policy.

/According to our Rangamati correspondent, Gen Maung Aye landed at Rangamati at about 10.45am Army Chief Gen Moeen U,Ahmed accompanied him.

Maj Gen Shamim Chowdhury received Maung Aye at local circuit house.

Later, the Myanmar leader enjoyed a cruise in Kaptai Lake in an air force vessel and a cultural function at Girishova Restaurant in Rangamati town. He left Rangamati for Chittagong at 3:00pm.