U.S. Sen. McConnell to meet with Myanmar opposition leader January 12, 2012 -- Updated 2334 GMT (0734 HKT) The U.S. Senate minority leader advocates reform and democracy in Myanmar McConnell will meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi The face-to-face meeting will be the first for them Washington (CNN) -- U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will meet next week with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, government officials and U.S. embassy personnel in the Southeast Asia country, he said Thursday. The Republican from Kentucky plans to discuss political reform, bilateral relations and regional security issues with Suu Kyi and the Myanmar leaders. McConnell will arrive in the country on Sunday and return to the United States on Wednesday. McConnell advocates political reform, reconciliation and democracy in Myanmar, he said. Since 2003, McConnell, along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, has introduced and enacted legislation placing sanctions on the Myanmar government. He also consistently called for the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. Since Suu Kyi's release, McConnell has spoken with her several times on the phone. Next week's visit will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two. Meanwhile, on Thursday, U.S. diplomats met with Suu Kyi in another sign of thawing relations between Washington and the Southeast Asian nation. The U.S. delegation arrived in the country Monday and has met with top government officials. The meetings also coincide with an announcement by government officials that Myanmar has begun peace talks with a major rebel group, signing a cease fire with the Karen National Liberation Army. CNN's Michael Martinez contributed to this report.