Joint declaration between two countries and speeches made in meeting with media of Russian Federation President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation. He said:

We note the visit to Russia of Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Our two countries have also built a bond of trust. I am having conversations with the Prime minister. We pay attention to the realization of the projects in partnership between our two peoples. Earlier this year, we agreed on a joint statement on bilateral cooperation.

Russia was one of the first countries to recognize Myanmar’s independence in 1948, when it was part of the Soviet Union. Later, the Soviet Union helped Myanmar, including promoting scholars.

Myanmar was able to undertake major projects in education and healthcare with the assistance of the Soviet Union. As of now, Myanmar is still backed by Russia.

It is also helping develop Myanmar’s industrial sector. Also, Myanmar is supported by Russia in maintaining stability in its internal affairs. A joint statement was issued reaffirming our partnership. We seek to enhance trade and investment between our two nations. Our trade volume went up by around 40 percent last year alone.

Before, it was approximately US$-2 billion. We are interested in strengthening our trade ties with you. Further, we are also collaborating in the realm of banking also- loans, etc.

Our two governments are actively cooperating via the Bilateral Cooperation Commission. In Nay Pyi Taw, there was a trade commission meeting. We are also working together in the energy domain and have a strategic cooperation in this area, as well. In addition, we are prepared to cooperate in other areas, especially with regard to the development of renewable energy sources. A contract has been signed for the construction of small reactors and small-scale nuclear power plants in Myanmar, which can make a significant contribution to the electricity supply of this country.

The deals also include so-called deals relating to construction in Myanmar, which will afford more jobs for workers and specialists. Therefore, we are carrying out joint projects in the industrial and advanced technology sectors.

Now, Myanmar is home to a satellite data research centre, established with Russia’s help. The Prime Minister also visits the Russian Space Agency where he will be privy to some invaluable first-hand knowledge about Russia’s role in the space sector. Moreover, we are going to expand cooperation in the sphere of humanitarian and culture. A Russian cultural center will be opened in Myanmar. The first Russian Orthodox Christian Church is expected to be built in Yangon. Similarly, Russia has set up two cultural and Buddhist centres of Myanmar.

The Myanmar leaders have greatly helped Myanmar citizens in learning the Russian language. It’s also being taught at two prominent universities of Myanmar: Yangon and Mandalay University of Foreign Languages, and at the Defence Services Academy.

Russian language education is being planned to expand in Myanmar. Some 300 Myanmar students are enrolled in Russian universities at present. All in all around 10,000 Myanmar scholars have been trained at universities of diverse subjects through, various universities in Russia.

Moskva 9 May: 82nd National Victory Day I have requested the Prime Minister to come and be part of this ceremony. The entire Myanmar Tatmadaw contingent will take part in the Red Square parade, attended by the troops and followed by a march past. We spoke about international affairs in one of the meetings. The positions of Russia and Myanmar broadly align or are similar on most international issues. And we are working together on the world stage. We strive to maintain a peaceful development of the Asia-pacific region. Russia is mutually collaborating with Myanmar in the area of security measures.

To end, we are extremely thankful to be able to be working on constructive projects with our Myanmar friends. Some key matters related to the visit of Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The visit of the Chairman of the State Administration Council to the Russian Federation ended successfully after discussions.【2】

I do believe with the results achieved, cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow in all areas. I thank you for your patience and for your attention.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister, also gave a speech. He said:

Honourable President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin, ladies and gentlemen, I am in the Russian Federation for a friendly visit on the invitation of Honourable President Mr. Putin. Myanmar is a close and reliable friend of Russia. As such, I want to underscore the tremendous importance we attach to our bilateral relations, which are based on mutual trust, understanding, and respect. It is pleasant to recall that the diplomatic relations between our two countries were established in 1948 and that our friendship has deepened and our cooperation has been very successful in the past 77 years.

It is heartening to see our ties continue to grow stronger. As I did on my visit, during which I engaged in long discussions with President Putin on international issues of mutual concern to both countries. I also held meetings with Prime Minister H.E. Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustim and both of the parliamentary chairmen. We also talked about how we can enhance economic cooperation, promote economic development and further strengthen our bilateral ties. During the meeting today, we managed to add many more bilateral agreements and implement them between both of our sides. The President has already given an extensive explanation, concisely, for that specific issue. “As a result of mutual trust and constructive dialogue, we signed ten agreements. You are about to take place during our visit — the ceremony of the opening of the Myanmar consulates in Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk.

We believe that deeper discussions and talks between the two sides can allow us to further widen the scope of our cooperation. I am confident this visit will further strengthen the friendship between our two countries, and we will see cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, defence, science and technology, electricity, industry and energy achieve greater success in the near future.

Myanmar stands in full solidarity with Russia and its people in safeguarding the stability of Russia’s sovereignty and in making contributions to world peace.

Furthermore, as Myanmar strives to materialize its political goal, we truly appreciate Russia for constantly extending the support to Myanmar at the international stage. Looking forward, I want to reiterate that the two countries will work closely together in international affairs.

Honourable President,

To that end, I look forward to continue working together to further consolidate and promote the relations between Myanmar and the Russian Federation through our joint endeavours. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and comprehensive arrangements for our friendship visit. Furthermore, I wish to invite you industry, the Honorable President, to make a friendship visit to Myanmar at a mutually convenient time.