Russian Security Council head arrives in Myanmar to discuss security, intelligence, military ties

MOSCOW

Russia’s Security Council said Monday that its head, Sergey Shoygu, has arrived in Myanmar for talks with the country’s highest political leadership.

In a statement, the council said Shoygu is leading “an interdepartmental delegation.” He was received at the airport by the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar, Iskander Azizov, and Myanmar’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ko Ko Kyaw.

“On Feb. 2, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoygu arrived in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on a working visit at the head of an interdepartmental delegation,” the statement said.

Shoygu is expected to meet Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, as well as the First Minister of the Presidential Office and National Security Advisor Tin Aung San.

The Russian Security Council noted that the visit follows Myanmar’s parliamentary elections held on Jan. 25, after which power is expected to transition from the military to civilian authorities elected by the parliament.

In Russia, “the elections are recognized as having taken place in accordance with international law,” the council said.

The agenda includes “discussions on a wide range of bilateral relations, covering national and regional security, bilateral military and military-technical cooperation, interaction in the trade and economic sphere, and coordination of approaches on the international stage,” it added.

The talks will also focus on “cooperation between intelligence services and law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence, the Ministry of Justice of Russia, and the Rosgvardia.”

During the visit, Shoygu is also expected to visit a memorial complex dedicated to fallen heroes in Myanmar.