Developing Partnership Relations

From 1 to 5 November 2014, the Myanmar delegation led by Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was in Belarus on a working visit. The delegation visited a number of Belarusian defence companies and studied their capabilities to develop, manufacture, repair and upgrade military products.

Chairman of the Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee (Goscomvoyenprom) Sergei Gurulyov met with Min Aung Hlaing

Gurulyov said that Belarusian authorities attached great importance to developing military-technical cooperation with Myanmar that has a favourable location in the Asia-Pacific region.

The parties confirmed their mutual interest in further development of military-technical cooperation and also noted the potential for expansion of cooperation in a number of promising areas, including air defence, repair and upgrade of military equipment for the Army, as well as training of highly qualified military personnel for the Myanmar Armed Forces.

The parties highlighted the mutually beneficial nature of Belarus-Myanmar relationship and opportunities for new joint projects.

The key point in the dialogue between the two countries was that President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko considers cooperation with Myanmar to be promising. This was stressed by the Belarusian leader on 4 November during his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing.

“I was informed about the results of meetings and negotiations held in Minsk, as well as visits to Belarusian companies. I am impressed by your approach,” said Alexander Lukashenko as he welcomed the delegation. “The dialogue between Belarus and Myanmar aims for the future. We should follow this path, whatever the cost may be.”

“There are no closed issues in our relations,” said Lukashenko. “We are ready to export our products to your country and import products from Myanmar, which are not produced in Belarus.”

The President also said Belarus was ready to cooperate in military-technical sphere and personnel training. “We do not hide this. And your visit is a clear evidence of that,” said the President.

At present, military-technical cooperation between the two states is carried out under the intergovernmental agreement on military-technical cooperation signed on 10 December 2008.

The countries established the Belarus-Myanmar Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation that has already held six meetings.