In a landmark move, the Australian Prime Minister met with the Myanmar President on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting here on Monday, in what is said to be the first exchange between the two countries in 28 years.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard met with Myanmar President Thein Sein for the first talks between the two nations since 1984.

Ahead of the meetings, Gillard made positive statements at a media conference about Myanmar's democratic reforms and noted that her government would work to roll back sanctions further if Thein Sein continued to liberalize the country. As Myanmar changes, Australia will react, she said.

Following the discussion, Australian media reported that Gillard had asked the Myanmar president to visit Australia. Thawing of relations between Myanmar and the international community began with elections held earlier this year.

Ahead of ASEM, Thein Sein finalized a foreign investment code that is expected to promote trade and investment in Myanmar. Endi