Myanmar parliament approves military cooperation with Russia

NAY PYI TAW - Myanmar's Union Parliament has approved to sign agreement with Russia on military cooperation following debate on the proposal put forward by President U Htin Kyaw, parliament sources said Wednesday.

MPs supported the signing, recounting the situation in the country's past in which Myanmar fell under the yoke of colonialism as it tagged behind the Western imperial power in industrial and defense technology.

The MPs stressed the need to build up the Myanmar armed forces to become a standardized, modern and effective force through better understanding of modern military tactics and practices which are to be learned through proposed bilateral program with Russia.

The deal to be signed with Russia is the result of recent Russian outreach to the ASEAN Community and Myanmar in particular on matters relation to military defense, national security and counter-terrorism with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stating on April 26, the MPs added.

Myanmar Deputy Defense Minister Maj-Gen Myint Nwe, who proposed the plan to the parliament, said the signing of the agreement would create new level of defense cooperation between the two countries and foster dialogue and mutual understanding of the defense policies in terms of international and regional security.

Myanmar and the Russian Federation vowed to promote defence ties between the two countries during the Russian Defense Minister's visit to Myanmar in March 2013.

Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also called on the Russian Federation to contribute to ensuring world peace as there had been instability caused by political, economic, social and religious dilemmas in some regions.

Myanmar and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1948.