10 March 2025
At the invitation of Russian Federation President H.E. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Belarusian President H.E.Mr. Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paid official State visits to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus from 3 to 9 March.
The Myanmar goodwill delegation led by the Senior General left Tolmachevo Airport of Novosibirsk of the Russian Federation by special flight in the afternoon of 9 March at local time and arrived back at Nay Pyi Taw Tatmadaw Airport in the evening.
On the way back to Myanmar, the Senior General replied to questions raised by the media at the exclusive interview aboard the special flight. The full text of the replies is as follows:-
“Our country is going to implement a multi-party democratic system. It has been 77 years since we gained our independence. We have faced numerous conflicts. We have many natural resources, including human resources. If we can make use of these, our country will become a prosperous one. For this, when we are looking for prospects of cooperation, Russia is one of the countries that we see as having the potential for collaboration. It’s not just Russia; there are many countries. However, I know that Russia is the country that can take action the quickest. Therefore, I went to Russia. We have already made a political decision.
We have already decided to move toward a multi-party democratic system as requested by the people. To make this happen, we need to collaborate with the other side. On the other hand, we also need to work for internal peace in our country. That’s why the President of Russia has said that Russia will help Myanmar. However, President H.E.Mr. Alexander Gregoryevich Lukashenko of Belarus also said that Belarus would assist and cooperate with Myanmar in every way possible. These are strengths for us, and at the same time, they are strengths for our country. Looking at the geographical position of our country, if we consider it, we are at a key location. We are the westernmost country in Southeast Asia, in the ASEAN region. To our west, we have India, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. We have Bangladesh, with a population of over 160 million people. To our northeast, we have China, with a population of about 1.4 billion people. When you combine these three countries, the total population reaches nearly 4 billion people. So, if we look at the direction we are going, if we go south, we will reach the Indian Ocean. If we go north, we will pass through China and reach Russia. If we go west, we will reach India. If we go southeast, we will reach all the ASEAN countries. Myanmar is in a unique position. Whether we are starting a business or passing through Myanmar for any reason, we can gain access to a large market, as mentioned earlier. We are truly at the best time to cooperate. What I want to say to the EAOs is that they should avoid speaking about what they want to happen. It’s better to speak about what should happen and what is possible. Everyone wants what they desire, and I, too, have many desires. However, what I want might happen, but we should go towards what should happen and what is possible. We said that we provide opportunities for democracy. We provide opportunities for ethnic rights. If you look around the world, you will see that everyone deserves equal opportunities. We cannot give away someone else’s rights. I want to say that ethnic people should be allowed to think as well. From our side, we will prioritize the ethnic people and take action. I have decided. No matter what happens, I will prioritize and take action on the remaining ethnic areas. Until now, I have done everything I can. I am not neglecting the agricultural and livestock industries in Myanmar. In the future, I will not neglect science and technology. The industries, based on agriculture and livestock, of these countries are very good. In science and technology, they are also very strong. They are in a position to combine both low and high-level sectors. This is what we need. That’s why I am saying that if we cooperate, this will benefit our country.”
