Defense minister visiting Myanmar weeks after its leader’s trip to Minsk

March 26, Pozirk. Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin has left for Myanmar to hold bilateral meetings and observe a military parade on the 80th anniversary of Myanmar’s Armed Forces, the defense ministry reported.

The news comes after Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Minsk earlier this month to meet with Alaksandar Łukašenka and Raman Hałoŭčanka, the then prime minister and a former head of the Belarusian Defense Industry Committee.

The Belarusian ruler also promised Min Aung Hlaing to accredit the Myanmar ambassador serving in Russia.

Both countries have a “strong and long-standing history” of defense and security cooperation, Hałoŭčanka told the visitor, noting the assembly of optical products among the “flagship” projects of Belarusian-Myanmar cooperation.

Belarusian officials have sought to expand ties with Myanmar lately. The country has been under military rule after a coup in early 2021, followed by a civil war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Belarus and Myanmar established diplomatic ties in 1999.

Bilateral trade amounted to $8.2 million in 2021, with Belarusian exports at $5.3 million, the Belarusian foreign ministry said.

Minsk has not disclosed more recent data, yet according to state-run media, trade grew to $34.6 million by late 2024 with Belarusian exports at $22.7 million.

Also read: Belarus, Myanmar discuss security cooperation

Łukašenka meets head of Myanmar’s military government in Minsk