Belarusian PM's Myanmar visit promotes bilateral cooperation

Belarusian Prime Minister Dr. Mikhail V. Myasnikovich's three-day goodwill visit to Myanmar, which ended on Saturday, has promoted bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Belarus, observers here said Sunday. During the visit, Myasnikovich held talks with Myanmar President U Thein Sein and met with speakers of both Houses of the Parliament -- U Khin Aung Myint and U Shwe Mann as well as Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin in Nay Pyi Taw. A detailed and constructive exchange of opinions on the current status and prospect for development of bilateral relations, and regional and international issues of mutual concern were made at the meetings, according to a joint statement of Myanmar and Belarus issued at the end of Myasnikovich's visit. During the visit, the two countries signed a series of accords including a memorandum of understanding on establishment of friendship and cooperation between Myanmar and Belarus, and five agreements respectively on trade and economic cooperation, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, agricultural cooperation, education cooperation and cooperation between chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries. The two countries reached mutual understanding and decided to intensify dialogue and cooperation, including the inter- parliamentary relations and industrial cooperation. Under the industrial cooperation, the two countries will study the possibility of setting assembly lines for Belarusian tractors, agricultural machinery and engines in Myanmar, the possibility of importing Belarusian Belaz mine trucks from Belarus to Myanmar and exporting non-ferrous metals and plywood to Belarus. The two sides also agreed to develop cooperation in the field of oil and gas and mineral resources prospecting and exploration. The two sides agreed to the setting up of a joint commission on economic and trade cooperation and the first session is being arranged to discuss the issues of cooperation in the areas of finance, energy, innovation, information and telecommunications. In the field of education, the two sides vowed to maintain direct links between educational establishments of the two countries and personnel exchange. In science and technology, the two sides agreed to sign an agreement on scientific and technical cooperation. In agriculture, the two sides agreed to set up a theoretical and practical center for agricultural mechanization in Myanmar. With regard to the international situation, the two sides called for global efforts to address modern challenges and security threat on the principles of international law. Belarus voiced support of Myanmar's democratic transition. During the visit, a first Myanmar-Belarus business forum was also launched in Nay Pyi Taw, attended by Vice President U Tin Aung Myint Oo. Aimed at promoting bilateral relations between the two countries, Myasnikovich arrived in Nay Phi Taw Thursday evening for the visit. Belarus and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1999 and the Belarusian embassy based in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi also represents its diplomatic mission to Myanmar.