Laos and Myanmar agreed to build a bridge across the Mekong River, providing the first road link between the two neighbours, dpa cited media reports as saying Friday. The agreement to build a "friendship bridge" linking Xiengkok in Luang Namtha province in Laos to Kainglap in Myanmar was signed Thursday by Lao Transport Minister Sommad Pholsena and Myanmar Construction Minister Khin Maung Myint, the Vientiane Times reported. The signing was witnessed by Myanmar President Thein Sein during his two-day visit to Laos. The Lao-Myanmar border is defined by the Mekong River, which flows from southern China to the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. In his talks with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, Thein Sein agreed to join the Mekong River Commission as a permanent member, the Vientiane Times reported. China and Myanmar now have observer status on the four-member commission, which seeks regional consensus on the management of the Mekong's resources. The commission's permanent members are Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.
