Myanmar and Russia have signed a total of 12 memorandums of understanding and agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in the energy, industrial, technology and military sectors in Moscow, according to a statement issued by the Myanmar military council’s Ministry of Information.
The agreements were signed during a meeting between Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where Min Aung Hlaing is visiting at Putin’s invitation.
During the meeting, Russia expressed interest in investing and cooperating in Myanmar’s energy and infrastructure sectors. The two sides discussed cooperation in the construction of coal-fired power plants and oil refineries, as well as offshore oil and natural gas exploration.
They also discussed opportunities for LNG exports from Russia and the continued implementation of a nuclear power plant project agreed upon last year. The construction of steel and fertilizer plants, as well as a deep-sea port in southern Myanmar, were also among the issues discussed.
In the technology and security sectors, the two sides agreed to continue expanding cooperation in advanced technologies, including cybersecurity, space technology and military technology between their respective armed forces.
Meanwhile, Russia said that approval had been granted for the construction of a Russian Orthodox Christian church in Yangon, while Myanmar is also preparing to open a consulate in Vladivostok, Russia, in the near future.
During the meeting, Min Aung Hlaing thanked Putin for his political support and assistance, saying that Myanmar would continue to remain a reliable partner for Russia.
Min Aung Hlaing also said that relations between the two countries, which are marking 78 years of diplomatic ties, have reached their closest and highest level. He said cooperation would continue across various sectors, including defence, security, agriculture, industry, education, science and tourism.
He also said that the visa exemption between the two countries, which began in January this year, would help further improve tourism and people-to-people exchanges between Myanmar and Russia.
Citing Myanmar’s strategic geographic position, natural resources and more than 30 million acres of agricultural land, Min Aung Hlaing invited Russian businesses to invest in Myanmar.
In addition to the 12 agreements signed in Moscow, the two sides are continuing negotiations on further agreements covering a range of sectors, according to the statement.
The visit marks Min Aung Hlaing’s fifth overseas trip since assuming the presidency and comes amid increasingly close political and economic ties between Myanmar and Russia.
Ref: Ministry of Information, Myanmar military council
