Bilateral Relations: DPM, MOFA Union Minister tours in Russia

Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, who paid a working visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov, arrived Novosibirsk on 12 September.

At the airport, the Deputy Prime Minister and Myanmar delegation was welcomed by the officials concerned from Government of Novosibirsk Region. The following morning, the delegation left for Moscow.

Upon arrival at Sheremetyevo International Airport, the Myanmar delegation was welcomed by Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation, staff, and responsible officials from the Protocol Department and Third Asia Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the evening, the Deputy Prime Minister visited the Myanmar Embassy in Moscow and met with the Ambassador, staff and families, and attended the dinner hosted by the Myanmar Ambassador. On 14 September, the Myanmar-Russia Bilateral Talks was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister U Than Swe, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov.

At the meeting, both sides cordially exchanged views and discussed a wide range of topics, including consolidation of the longstanding friendship and acceleration of ongoing bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Russia, with a particular focus on closer collaboration between the two foreign ministries, establishment of Myanmar Consulates-General in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk, cooperation in defence, security, tourism and people-to-people linkages, economy and trade, banking, energy, industry, education, and information, amongst others.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed Myanmar’s profound appreciation to the Russian Federation for its principled position, understanding and consistent support towards Myanmar in both bilateral and multilateral contexts, the United Nations in particular.

The Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of the government and people of Myanmar, also expressed deep gratitude to the Russian Federation for donating COVID-19 vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and for providing humanitarian assistance to the victims of Cyclone Mocha on 9 September. Subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister U Than Swe attended a joint press briefing together with Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov.

In the afternoon, Mr. Sergey Lavrov hosted a working luncheon for the Myanmar delegation at the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation.

During the luncheon, the ministers also exchanged views on recent developments in their respective countries as well as on regional and international matters of common interest.

Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister U Than Swe and delegation departed from Moscow in the evening for Minsk, Republic of Belarus.