A bilateral talk between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Belarus took place at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential Residence yesterday morning.
On the occasion, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing extended greetings. He warmly welcomed His Excellency and the delegation from Myanmar. The diplomatic relations between our two countries have now reached 26 years, and he was pleased that this goodwill visit marks the first time a Head of State from Belarus has visited Myanmar. He expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Belarus during his official state goodwill visit to Belarus in March of this year, as well as during his attendance at the 4th Europe-Asia Economic Forum in June, and recalled these gestures of cordial reception with sincere appreciation. During the visit to Belarus in March, the two countries signed memoranda of understanding on bilateral cooperation.
During the current goodwill visit, both sides are set to sign the Myanmar-Belarus Development Cooperation Roadmap (2026-2028), as well as agreements including a visa exemption arrangement and other memoranda of understanding on cooperation, which is a source of great satisfaction. Although the two countries are geographically distant, both maintain diplomatic and military-to-diplomatic relations and are close partners built on full mutual trust and friendship. Diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Belarus have now exceeded 26 years, during which bilateral relations have noticeably strengthened. He expressed his determination to further advance cooperation in the future and conveyed gratitude to Belarus for consistently providing support to Myanmar both bilaterally and on the international stage.
The Belarusian President expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him and the goodwill delegation and said he was deeply honoured and pleased that this marked his first visit to Myanmar. He noted that the official goodwill visit of the Senior General to Belarus in March was also the first state-level goodwill visit by a Myanmar Head of State to Belarus. This year, the two Heads of State have met six times, making 2025 a year of many milestones and the establishment of new historical records in bilateral relations. Cooperation between the two countries has been successfully advanced across various sectors. Myanmar also participated in the EAEU meeting in Minsk, led by the Union Foreign Minister, and numerous meetings and discussions were held at international events and forums throughout the year, during which both sides discussed mutual assistance. He emphasized that Belarus keeps its doors always open to Myanmar and that, regardless of any external obstacles, both countries will continue to cooperate sincerely. Officials from both countries have organized economic forums and conducted discussions that have promoted successful outcomes and strengthened bilateral cooperation. Today, the two countries signed a Myanmar-Belarus Development Cooperation Roadmap (2026-2028), which includes numerous areas of collaboration. By implementing the roadmap, economic cooperation between the two countries is expected to achieve greater success, and industrial development will advance. He reaffirmed that all agreements and points discussed in today’s meetings will be diligently implemented to ensure successful results.
Afterwards, both Heads of State frankly exchanged views on showing Myanmar’s gratitude to Belarus for its efforts to conduct search and rescue operations in the earthquake-affected areas caused by the devastating Mandalay earthquake with provision of humanitarian aid, speedy enhancement of multiple sector cooperation including political, trade, economic, industrial, agriculture, food supply, health, medicines and education sectors, promotion of friendship and mutual understanding, upgrading the Myanmar consulate in Minsk to the embassy, plans to sign the memoranda of understanding on bilateral cooperation, promotion of cooperation, prospects to cooperate in trade, investment, agriculture and livestock breeding, sports, education, science and technology, health, culture, energy, industrial, tourism, natural resources and environmental conservation sectors between the two countries, bilateral cooperation in the regional and international landscapes, preparations to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election in Myanmar soon, extending invitation to internal and international observers including neighbouring countries, ASEAN countries and friendly countries to Myanmar’s election, the plan of Belarus to send election observor teams to Myanmar, endeavours of the Myanmar government to ensure internal peace and stability, and combatting telecom fraud and online gambling as a national duty.
In his additional talks, the Senior General said that on 25 November, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced that it would terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 4,000 Myanmar nationals residing in the US and repatriate them to Myanmar within 60 days. There are also Myanmar nationals who have arrived in other countries, including the United States, due to political differences and other reasons. He stated that Myanmar would welcome their return, and if they wish to participate, they will be able to cast their votes in elections, provided they are included on the voter list during the election period. He also expressed gratitude to Belarus for supporting Myanmar in implementing a political system aligned with the country’s circumstances and expressed confidence that, once elections are held, bilateral cooperation between the two countries can continue to be strengthened.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Belarus continued to hold a signing ceremony for memoranda of understanding. In the presence of the Senior General and the Belarusian President, ministers of both countries and the Ambassador of Belarus to Myanmar signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation in science and technology, tax matters, and trade credit arrangements, as well as agreements on national-level standards, inspection for quality control, precise measurement, and mutual recognition. They also signed memoranda of understanding to implement the roadmap, covering trade, economy, science, technology, and cultural collaboration, as well as agreements on legal assistance in cases of illicit trade and measures to promote investment. The documents were exchanged reciprocally between the two sides.
The Senior General and the Belarusian President explained the bilateral joint declaration to the media. (The full text of the declaration is reported separately.)
Also, present at the meeting were Commission Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Soe Win, SSPC Member and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, commission members, Union ministers and the Myanmar Ambassador to Belarus. The Belarusian President was accompanied by high-ranking officials from the Belarusian government and ministers.
The Senior General hosted a luncheon in honour of the Belarusian President and his entourage.
When they took the position at the luncheon, the State Military Band played the National Anthems of both countries.
During the luncheon, artistes from the Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and the Myawady Entertainment Troupe under the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare presented songs and music of Myanmar and Belarus.
The Senior General and the Belarusian President and party enjoyed the entertainments at the Thabin Hall of the Presidential Residence.
The artistes performed songs and dances depicting Myanmar’s traditional culture and songs of both countries.
After the entertainment, the Belarusian President and the Senior General presented bouquets to the entertainment troupes and had documentary photos taken with them.
MNA/TTA
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