Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Igor Morgulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Photo Exhibition in Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Russian Feder

Unofficial translation

Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov’s remarks at the opening ceremony of the photo display of archival documents dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Russian-Myanmar diplomatic relations

(1st Atrium Corps, February 19, 2018)

Dear Mr. Ko Ko Shein, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Russian Federation,

Colleagues, friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today we have gathered to celebrate a landmark date in the history of bilateral relations – 70 years ago, after the Republic of Myanmar became an independent state, our countries reached the agreement to establish diplomatic relations.

It is noteworthy that contacts between Russia and Myanmar had begun long before. In 1876 the traveller Mr.Petr Pashuto and the merchant Grigory Khludov visited Burma. They brought the letter from Burmese Minister of foreign affairs to Russia with the sincere intention to establish friendship relations between two countries. But this intention was turned into reality only in 1948, when Myanmar made free of colonial chains.

The materials and photos of the exhibition point to the fact that since the first day our relations were built on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect. Russia made a notable contribution to Myanmar, provided significant technical and welfare assistance – the Yangon Technological University and the hospital in Yangon, as well as the hospital in Taungyi, which operates nowadays, were built.

We unchangeably regard Myanmar as an important Russian partner in the Asia-Pacific region, highly appreciate friendship relations between our nations. During the past decades the vast experience of mutual cooperation has been obtained and necessary opportunities for further cooperation in the wide range of areas have been formed.

The success of our efforts is underwritten by the intensification of high-level and top-level political dialogue. Presidents` meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN Summit in May 2016 in Sochi provided strategic guidelines for deepening our multi-faceted bilateral cooperation. Our parliaments, ministries and organizations maintain regular contacts. And our foreign ministries coordinate their actions. This helps to react on international and regional challenges on time. The visit of the Minister of Defense of Russia Mr. S.K.Shoigu proves the fact that military and technical-military ties are developing as well.

The Intergovernmental Russian-Myanmar Commission on trade and economic cooperation functions fruitfully, working out the prospect projects of practical cooperation. We are convinced that together we can fully realize the potential of Russian-Myanmar contacts for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Naturally, a lot of meticulous work will be required to raise our bilateral relations to an even higher level and increase the practical results of our cooperation. We are convinced that together we can fully realize the potential of Russian-Myanmar contacts for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region.

In Russia we say “An old friend is better than two new ones.” This is how we feel about our Myanmar partners, and our bilateral relations have stood the test of times. We will continue our close cooperation in addressing the challenges we face.