The first Lao-Myanmar Friendship Bridge linking northern Laos with Myanmar across the Mekong River was officially opened on Saturday by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and his Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein, Lao News Agency reported.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Siouslith said in his reported that the bridge represents a noticeable achievement in cooperation between the governments of Laos and Myanmar.
He added that the opening of the bridge is a milestone in the history of friendship, close cooperation, trust and understanding between the two nations.
The governments of Laos and Myanmar reached an agreement on building the bridge during an official goodwill visit to Laos by Myanmar President Thein Sein in March 2012. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held in February 2013.
The 30-month construction project cost US$26 million and was completed five months ahead of schedule. The bridge, which is 691.6 metres long and 10.9 metres wide, is a joint investment by the Lao and Myanmar governments with each side financing half of the cost.
It is located between Houay Koum village, approximately 13-km north from Xiangkok village, Long district, Luang Namtha province of Laos, and Kenglap, Thachilek district, Shan State of Myanmar.