The President of the Republic of Belarus 

Distinguished Prime Minister and esteemed guests who have joined us today, I am honoured to share that today’s meeting between our two countries focused on discussing the economic sector and collaboration in various areas. We had detailed discussions on how to work together in the field of economics and other sectors. We also addressed areas related to humanitarian support and how to collaborate effectively in those areas. Moreover, we reached a consensus on drafting strategic plans to ensure the successful implementation of economic measures between our two countries. We are committed to collaborating on technology to support global food security through food production businesses emerging in Myanmar. Our collaboration will focus on sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food production. At the recent Business Forum, officials from both countries held detailed discussions on these sectors and related issues. In Belarus, there are advanced technologies related to this arena as well.
This year, our two countries will reconvene to discuss further economic cooperation. Moreover, we plan to form a committee to work on science and technological sectors between our countries. We aim to strengthen the cooperation between Myanmar and Belarus. While Myanmar students are studying in Belarus, our country will also do everything to support the students in their learning as much as possible. This year, we have invited a group of children from Myanmar to visit the health retreat in Suprunov Resort, Belarus, for the first time. In the upcoming period, ministers and relevant officials from our country will visit Myanmar. Similarly, specialists and relevant officials from Myanmar will also visit Belarus. Through these reciprocal visits, we aim to explore opportunities for economic development across both countries and take concrete actions for mutual support. Very soon, during a meeting with the Prime Minister, we discussed some of these key points.
In my view, concerning the cooperation between the two countries, there are no obstacles from our side. We always aim to keep the doors open and work closely, transparently, and cordially to carry out economic activities in the best way possible. Belarus has discussed a lot of information related to economic cooperation with Myanmar in today’s talks, as well as in the Business Forum yesterday. Regarding this information, we will make every effort to finalize understandings and agreements related to cooperation as soon as possible. I would like to express my gratitude for the transparent discussions I had with my friend, the Prime Minister, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, during this trip. I also appreciate his openness and willingness to discuss all matters of interest. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my friend as well for inviting me to Myanmar. I hope that in the near future, I will be able to meet with my friend in his country. We are committed to supporting and ensuring the success of our collaborative efforts in this business, which will enable us to carry out projects that benefit both sides.
I also want to express my gratitude for the time given to this meeting today. On behalf of us, I would also like to extend a warm welcome to my friend at all times.

The State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister

I would like to extend my warm greetings to all the participants of this event, including the President of Belarus, Mr President, the delegation members, and media representatives. Everybody, Mingalaba! I also had the privilege of meeting and discussing matters with the President and government officials during my second visit. I am happy to say that it was a successful trip. To further strengthen and develop the Belarus-Myanmar friendship, and to enhance collaboration, I wish to express my gratitude to President Lukashenko and the responsible individuals, as well as the people of Belarus, and wish for continued strength, progress, and development. During today’s meeting, as we discussed openly and clearly, we will continue to strengthen and carry out cooperation in various sectors such as the economies of both countries, agriculture, industry, education, science and technology, culture, and defence.
Not only the government-to-government relations but also the people-to-people relations will be expanded. For the successful implementation of the cooperation between the two countries, the involvement of not only government officials but also the media in the relevant sectors is crucial. Therefore, I kindly request your cooperation in this matter. Our country is the largest landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is a country that is situated between two of the most populous countries in the world, China and India, and also acts as a bridge between Southeast Asia and South Asia.

It possesses favourable conditions for agriculture, livestock, and transport, with abundant water, land, and climate. Our country is also one of the top exporters of rice globally and ranks as the second-highest bean exporter in the world. Since our country has vast areas of land suitable for agriculture and livestock farming, we are striving to make our country one that can contribute to global food security and safety. Therefore, I am fully confident that if we integrate Belarus’ modern agricultural practices, livestock systems, techniques, machinery, and support systems into practical use, it will not only benefit Myanmar but will bring mutually beneficial results for both sides. Along the 1,300-mile coastline, there are also major deep-water ports, particularly the ports at Dawei, Thilawa, and Kyaukpyu, which offer great investment opportunities. Hence, I would like to invite Belarus to invest in Myanmar in various sectors. Our two countries will strengthen cooperation, not only in bilateral relations but also in the international landscape. I would like to express my gratitude to Belarus and the Belarusian people for their support of our country on the international stage.
Due to electoral fraud in the 2020 general election, we had to declare a state of emergency and temporarily take responsibility for the country. Therefore, we plan to hold a free and fair election soon, under the law. We are planning to hold the election in December 2025 or at the earliest by January 2026. Fifty-three political parties have already submitted their lists to participate in the election. Regarding the election, we also invite the observation teams from Belarus to come and observe. I would also like to express special gratitude to His Excellency the President of Belarus for his efforts to help the development and progress of Belarus in every possible way. Under His Excellency’s leadership, I believe that Belarus will become one of the world’s leading countries. I also fully expect to meet the President of Belarus again in Myanmar. I wish for continued and strong cooperation between our two countries in all areas of mutual interest. Thank you very much.

The Belarusian President
I am grateful for the invitation to Myanmar. I will also be visiting Myanmar. As my friend has suggested, we will send election observers to monitor the elections. I would like to suggest to my friend. If any actions could positively contribute to the development of the nation and benefit the citizens, I recommend that they be implemented as soon as possible. When implementing these actions, it’s possible that some people may not approve, and there could be sanctions that arise in opposition. Both in our country and in your country, there may be sanctions that could form as a result. I consider sanctions to be opportunities, and when such sanctions arise, they should be seen as opportunities to strengthen our collaboration. If we work more closely together with greater unity, we will be able to implement the best possible outcomes. Thank you very much for your visit to Belarus.

The SAC Chairman Prime Minister
By imposing a sanctions, if there is such a group, the opposing groups that are called sanctions will face attacks from software that increases the strength of the majority, which will lead to more intense competition. I want to point out that putting pressure on them under the sanction will never be successful. It will only escalate the conflict. The two of us will work together and overcome it. I want to say that we are ready to cooperate and move forward with our efforts.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Myanmar-Belarus State-level meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Minsk of the Republic of Belarus yesterday afternoon, attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and President of the Republic of Belarus Mr Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko.
Also present at the meeting were SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers, the Myanmar Ambassador to Belarus, deputy ministers and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief. The Belarusian President was accompanied by senior officers of the Belarusian Government.
Both sides cordially discussed despite their locations at a far distance, enhancement of diplomatic and defence relations between the two countries as good friendliness countries, plans to sign the memoranda of understanding between the two countries during the visit of the Senior General, holding coordination meetings between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of two countries, potentials for cooperation in dairy product production and cultivation of industrial raw crops, promotion of cooperation in bilateral trade and economy, investment measures, and cooperation in various sectors including manufacturing of agricultural machinery.
Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe and the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs exchanged notes on memoranda of cooperation signed by the Myanmar and Belarusian governments and memoranda of understanding on cooperation in sports, tourism, legal affairs, agriculture and food safety.
The Senior General and the Belarusian President released the joint declaration of the two countries to the media. (The reciprocal joint declaration and speeches delivered by the SAC Chairman Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Belarus will be reported separately.)
The Senior General conferred the Agga Maha Thray Sithu Title on Belarusian President Mr Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko.
After the Myanmar-Belarus State-level meeting, State Administration Council Information Team Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, who accompanied the Senior General, responded to queries raised by the media. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is currently in Belarus on his official State visit at the invitation of President Mr Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus, was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Belarus alongside the Guard of Honour at the Presidential Palace yesterday morning.
The ceremony was also attended by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers, the Myanmar Ambassador to Belarus, deputy ministers and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief. The Belarusian President was accompanied by senior officers from the Belarusian Cabinet.
The Senior General was welcomed by the Belarusian President with the salute of the Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the military band played the national anthems of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Belarus.
The Senior General inspected the Guard of Honour. The Belarusian President and the Senior General introduced their entourage to each other.
The Senior General received the salute of the Guard of Honour. Then, both leaders held a specific meeting. At the meeting, the President of the Republic of Belarus extended his greetings, saying that he believes that through this meeting and discussions, the cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop. The two countries will work to strengthen and expand the agreements and collaborations, and through this goodwill visit of the Senior General, they will make efforts to ensure the success of initiatives. Belarus and Myanmar will also continue to pursue strategic partnerships. Lastly, he was thankful and pleased for the visit of the Myanmar delegation to his country on this journey of goodwill.
In his speech, the Senior General said that this was his second visit to Belarus as part of a friendship trip. He has also had the opportunity to witness the developments in Belarus firsthand. He is grateful for the warm welcome and honours extended to him at the state level.
He also congratulates the Belarusian President for their success in the recent elections. During his previous visit, he observed the successes and advancements in Belarus’s agricultural sector, and further strengthening collaboration in various sectors can benefit Myanmar and Belarus. He is pleased to share that the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum was successfully held, and several economic agreements were signed between the two countries. He also appreciates the invitation to lead a friendship delegation to Belarus as part of an official State visit.
They cordially exchanged views on the enhancement of cooperation in various sectors including bilateral diplomatic relations, economic, agriculture, industry, education, science and technology, culture and sports sectors, plans to promote cooperation in the defence sector, potentials for further strengthening bilateral relations through sectoral cooperation between the two countries, Myanmar-Belarus trade and economic cooperation measures, and preparations to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election in Myanmar.
The Belarusian President hosted a working luncheon for the Senior General and his entourage. During the luncheon, the national orchestra of Belarus performed entertainment with songs of both countries. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Myanmar high-level goodwill delegation, led by State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on an official visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, departed from Pulkovo International Airport in Saint Petersburg yesterday afternoon, Russian local time, to continue their goodwill visit to Belarus at the invitation of President Lukashenko. They were seen off at the airport by Mr Grigoriev Evgeny Dmitrievich, Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the Saint Petersburg Government, Myanmar Consul-General U Aung Pe Thet, and other officials.
The goodwill delegation later arrived at Minsk International Airport in Belarus, where they were welcomed by Belarussian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Maxim Ryzhenkov, the Ambassador of Belarus to Myanmar, Myanmar Consul-General U Moe Kyaw Thu, and officials among others.
At the airport, State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was welcomed by the Guard of Honour of Belarus, in keeping with the tradition of welcoming heads of state on state-level goodwill visits.
State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister then arrived at the Victory Monument in Minsk for the wreath-laying ceremony, where he was welcomed and greeted by officials.
Afterwards, the State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Victory Monument, while the Guard of Honour of Belarus played the National Anthem of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the National Anthem of the Republic of Belarus during the ceremony.
Subsequently, the State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister received a salute from the Guard of Honour and cordially greeted the officials. — MNA/TH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, currently in the Russian Federation on his official goodwill visit, held a meeting with Saint Petersburg Governor Mr Alexander Beglov at the K2 Government Guesthouse in Saint Petersburg on the evening of Russian standard time on 5 March.
They exchanged views on efforts to open the Myanmar Consulate-General to enhance cooperation and relations between Myanmar and Saint Petersburg; further efforts to develop health, education, transport, tourism, industry, economic and trade sectors, and construction of Theravada Buddhist ordination hall, monastery and pagoda in Saint Petersburg.
Also, present at the meeting were Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers, the Chief Minister of Bago Region, Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation U Thit Linn Ohn, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) and officials. The Governor of Saint Petersburg was accompanied by the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar and officials of the Saint Petersburg government.
In the evening, the governor of Saint Petersburg hosted a dinner to mark the opening of the Myanmar Consulate-General in Saint Petersburg to the Senior General and delegation members.
After the dinner, the Senior General presented cash awards to the entertainment troupes. —MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The opening ceremony of the Myanmar Consulate-General took place at the K-2 Government Guesthouse in Saint Petersburg on the evening of 5 March local time with the attendance of State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present at the event were SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers U Than Swe, Admiral Moe Aung, Dr Kan Zaw, U Ko Ko Lwin and Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Bago Region Chief Minister U Myo Swe Win, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Ambassador to Russia U Thit Linn Ohn, deputy ministers, Governor of Saint Petersburg Mr Alexander Beglov, the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar, cabinet members of Saint Petersburg, Myanmar Consul-General U Aung Pe Thet, relevant officials, scholars and invitees.
The ceremony commenced with the playing of the National Anthems of the two countries.
The Senior General, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Governor of Saint Petersburg cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Consulate-General.
In his opening speech, Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe said that although Myanmar and Russia are geographically far apart, the two countries have established a strong and friendly relationship throughout diplomatic history due to the close bonds between their people. To enhance the growing bilateral cooperation, Myanmar has opened consulates-general in Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk. The establishment of the Consulate-General in Saint Petersburg, a city with a rich history and advancements in political, economic, modern science and technology sectors, is believed to promote the mutual interests of both countries.
The governor of Saint Petersburg said the Myanmar Consulate-General was established in Saint Petersburg of Russia thanks to the strong and growing relationship between Russia and Myanmar. The establishment of the Consulate-General is expected to further enhance diplomatic ties between the two countries.
He also highlighted the role of the Consulate-General, which serves as a bridge between the two countries, expressing gratitude to the Senior General for taking immediate measures to be able to open the Consulate-General.
Afterwards, the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs presented gifts to the Senior General and Saint Petersburg Governor, marking the opening of the Consulate-General.
After the ceremony, the Senior General and attendees posed for commemorative group photos. — MNA/KTZH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

US lawmakers voted Wednesday to confirm lawyer Jamieson Greer as Donald Trump’s trade envoy, rounding out the president’s top economic team with a key figure in tariff policy as the president threatens levies on friend and foe alike.
Trump has unveiled a volley of tariff threats in recent weeks, including to remedy trade imbalances, boost US industry and pressure countries into stronger action on concerns like illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. Greer, as US Trade Representative, would be key to implementing Trump’s trade strategy.
He was confirmed by a vote of 56-43. The Trump administration has noted that tariffs can be a means to raise government revenue, bring more manufacturing to US shores, and tackle other countries’ trade practices.
Greer, a partner at law firm King & Spalding, served as chief of staff to Trump’s top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer during the president’s first term. He also helped to see through a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada in Trump’s first administration. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Berlin February 23
German voters went to polls Sunday to decide the composition of the next Bundestag, the country's lower house of parliament.
The election was scheduled for September this year, but a snap election was triggered by the collapse of the current ruling coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party last year.
The latest polls show that the sister parties of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) are taking the lead.
According to Friday's survey conducted by the Forsa Institute, support for CDU and CSU stood at 29 percent, compared with 21 percent for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and 15 percent for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD.
It takes a majority of the 630 seats in the Bundestag to form a stable federal government.
The Forsa survey also showed that 22 percent of respondents were still unsure of their choice shortly before the election.
Polling stations closes at 18:00 local time (1700 GMT) on Sunday when the counting of votes begins. A total of 4,506 candidates stand for the election in 299 constituencies, with at least 59.2 million people eligible to vote, official figures show. Xinhua

Source: Yadanarbon Newspaper

Reports show that a Chinese court has commenced its first trial against 23 individuals from Myanmar’s northern Shan State-based telecom fraud syndicate, who are facing multiple criminal charges, the Chinese news agencies reported.

The individuals, linked to the Ming family gang, are facing charges for 11 different crimes, including telecom fraud, murder, intentional harm, unlawful detention, extortion, operating a gambling den, organizing prostitution, and drug trafficking, as reported by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on February 19.

Prosecutors in Wenzhou, located in China's eastern Zhejiang province, claimed that the Ming family used their power and armed forces to establish industrial parks and collaborated with financial backers on numerous crimes since 2015. This led to the deaths of 14 Chinese nationals, six others being injured, and billions of yuan lost to fraud, as reported by the Global Times.

The gang's activities were reportedly centered in Kokang, located in Myanmar's northern Shan state, which borders China's southwestern Yunnan province.

Prosecutors stated that the Ming syndicate sets up a network of industrial estates and compounds that accommodated thousands of scammers. They employed various tactics to deceive victims, including fraudulent investment schemes, phishing scams, and extortion.

Prosecutors mentioned that evidence showed that in October 2023, Ming's gang murdered Chinese captives who attempted to escape while being transferred to another compound.

The Ming crime syndicate was headed by Ming Xuechang, a Chinese-Myanmar national, who reportedly died in an apparent suicide in November 2023 after being detained by Chinese authorities.

The Wenzhou Intermediate People's Court in East China's Zhejiang Province heard the case involving the Ming family from Friday to Wednesday before adjourning, with plans to announce the verdict at a later time.

The case marks China's latest attempt to crack down on cross-border telecoms syndicates that, according to authorities, have caused substantial financial and emotional harm on countless Chinese citizens. The crackdown has focused on suspects operating from their bases in the Golden Triangle area between Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. 

ကိုးကား- NP News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Vietnam's National Assembly on Tuesday approved a bold bureaucratic reform plan that will slash up to a fifth of government bodies, as the country tries to cut costs and improve administrative efficiency.

The number of government ministries will be reduced to 14 from the current 18, to be up and running from March 1, the assembly said in a statement.

More than 97% of the lawmakers present approved the plan.

The assembly earlier on Tuesday passed an amendment to a law on organising government, paving the way for approval of the planned cull of 15% to 20% of the state apparatus, which will also include four agencies and five state television channels, among other cuts.

The move would "not only save money for the state budget but more importantly, boost the efficiency of the system", General Secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, To Lam, told parliament last week.

Investors, diplomats and officials have broadly welcomed the plan but expect some administrative delays in the short term in Vietnam, a regional industrial hub that relies heavily on foreign investment.

The government has said the overhaul would not impact project approvals.

The Planning and Investment Ministry, which approves foreign investment projects, will join the Finance Ministry, while the Transport Ministry and the Construction Ministry will be merged.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry will also be merged.

Lawmakers on Tuesday ratified the appointment of two new deputy premiers, including the incumbent investment minister. That will increase the number of deputy prime ministers from five to seven.

The plan coincides with similar post-pandemic government cost-cutting measures being implemented or pledged across the world, including by Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei and US President Donald Trump.

Vietnam's state media reported last month that the restructuring would affect 100,000 state officials. It did not elaborate.

"Poor-performing employees must be removed from the system," it quoted Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, as saying.

"State agencies must not be safe shelters for incompetent officials."

ကိုးကား-Reuters