Opening a new chapter: Belarus President Lukashenko makes first historic state visit to Myanmar
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Htet Nadi(NP News)-Nov 30
At the invitation of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), a high-level delegation led by H.E. Mr. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, arrived in Myanmar on the evening of November 27 for an official goodwill visit. The visit concluded on November 28, marking a historic milestone in 26 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Upon arrival, President Lukashenko was welcomed with full state honors at Naypyidaw Airport by Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, U Mya Tun Oo, Union Minister for Transport and Communications, the Chairman of the Naypyidaw Council, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors of both countries, and other senior officials.
Diplomatic relations between Myanmar and the Republic of Belarus have reached 26 years, and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, paid two state-level goodwill visits to the Republic of Belarus in 2025 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Belarus. Now, the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko, has paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar at the invitation of the Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. This visit is the first historic visit by a President of the Republic of Belarus during the period of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
High-level talks at Presidential Palace
On the morning of November 28, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and President Lukashenko held formal talks at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw.
The talks were followed by an official signing ceremony where ministers and officials from both nations signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements were exchanged in front of the two Heads of State, symbolizing the intent to expand bilateral cooperation into long-term strategic partnerships.
A press conference was held after the ceremony, where both leaders announced that the new agreements would bring tangible benefits to the people and economies of both countries.
During his remarks, President Lukashenko offered rare personal praise for Myanmar’s leadership and governance.
“Throughout my political career, I have rarely seen a government that works so tirelessly every day for its country and its people. This level of commitment is very uncommon,” said the Belarusian President.
Therefore, Belarus will cooperate to ensure the peace and tranquility of the peoples of both countries, the Belarusian President said.
In addition, “all the points discussed at today’s meeting can be considered the highest level of bilateral cooperation,” said the Belarusian President.
The Belarusian President said that these discussions were not the result of this meeting alone, but also of previous discussions between officials.
In addition to signing agreements during the Belarusian President's visit, the Thiri Yadanar Wholesale Market Street in Naypyidaw was also named "Minsk Street" after the Belarusian capital, Minsk, in honor of the Belarusian President's official goodwill visit.
Economy and investment
To boost economic cooperation, the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum was held in Yangon on November 27, jointly organized by UMFCCI and BelCCI. The forum saw active participation from ministries, business delegations, banking institutions, and manufacturing sectors of both countries.
A total of 16 commercial MoUs and cooperation agreements valued at approximately USD 9 million were signed. These agreements involve:
• import and assembly of tractors, trucks, and heavy machinery
• procurement of ambulances and pharmaceutical products
• cooperation in aircraft maintenance and spare parts supply
• export financing and exchange trading mechanisms
• supply of Belarusian dairy products and industrial fabrics
The two nations also signed Myanmar-Belarus Development Cooperation Roadmap (2026–2028) and agreements for the 2nd Joint Trade and Economic Cooperation Commission meeting.
These developments mark a major step toward transforming the Myanmar-Belarus partnership into a practical and economically productive alliance.
Diplomatic and education cooperation
Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe met with his Belarusian counterpart, Mr. Maxim Ryzhenkov, in Naypyidaw, with both leaders reaffirming commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across sectors.
In education, a Letter of Agreement (LoA) on cooperation was signed between Yangon University and the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR). Discussions also laid the groundwork for advanced cooperation involving Yangon University, Mandalay University, Mandalay University of Foreign Languages, BSU, and BSUIR.
President Lukashenko’s visit represents a new phase in Myanmar-Belarus relations, characterized by mutual diplomatic respect and rapidly expanding economic and educational partnerships. The historic visit, the signing of 16 development agreements, and the naming of “Minsk Street” stand as symbolic and strategic milestones — marking the deepening bond between two nations that share common goals for stability, sovereignty, and progress.–