Myanmar's National Human Rights Commission issued a statement on Sunday welcoming the upcoming first ever visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton scheduled for next Wednesday.

"The first visit of the US Secretary of State in 50 years will pave the way for promoting bilateral relations and provide positive impulses towards the building of a democratic society in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar," said the statement.

Heartened by the decision of the United States to send Clinton to Myanmar, the statement maintained that "The country is at a critical juncture in its efforts to build a democratic society by enhancing national unity, economic prosperity, and the promotion of human rights for its people. The support and encouragement by the international community would certainly contribute to this process and muse be welcomed".

The statement also expressed welcome over a recent decision of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to let Myanmar take up the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2014, saying that the decision will contribute to the promotion of greater political, security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation among the member states.

"The decision, in Myanmar's view, is also the recognition by the international community that the elected government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has made concrete steps in implementing its policy of good governance, rule of law and respects for human rights in the process of building a democratic society in Myanmar," the statement added.