Junta Steps Up Middle East Diplomacy as Saudi Arabia Eyes Closer Ties

Myanmar’s military regime is intensifying its diplomatic push in the Middle East, with junta media reporting on Friday that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in expanding investment, trade and broader cooperation with Myanmar, including in the energy sector.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Maziad Mohammed M. Al‑Howishan, held separate meetings with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Minister Than Swe in Naypyitaw on Thursday. The discussions covered the political situation in the Middle East, international cooperation and potential collaboration in the energy and investment sectors, according to the regime.

Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle Eastern countries that has maintained formal diplomatic ties with Myanmar. Thousands of Myanmar migrant workers are employed in the kingdom, and large numbers of Myanmar Muslims travel to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.