Myanmar and Vietnam strengthen defence and security ties

Mizzima

Myanmar and Vietnam agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, elevating the sector to a pillar of ​bilateral ties as Vietnamese leader To Lam hosted ‌Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi on 5 September, according to local and international media.

Min Aung Hlaing also met with Vietnam Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during the Myanmar leader’s official visit to Vietnam from 4 to 6 September.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen political trust and promote high-level and other exchanges, while expanding cooperation through Party, State, Government, parliamentary and people-to-people channels. They also called for the early resumption of key cooperation mechanisms to create fresh momentum for the Vietnam-Myanmar Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership, Vietnamese media reports.

The two sides agreed to further promote defense and security cooperation and make it a pillar of bilateral ties.

The state visit was one of a number the Myanmar junta leader has made since he was granted the presidency under a quasi-military administration following elections, which have been largely dismissed by critics as a sham. The visits include China, Russia and India, part of what observers claim are moves by the Myanmar leader to improve his legitimacy.