Nay Pyi Taw July 26
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Mr. ALEXEI CHEPA, Deputy Head of State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the parlour of Bayintnaung Villa here this morning.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Lt-Gen Soe Htut of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief(Army), Maj-Gen Than Soe, Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representative and senior military officers. Mr. ALEXEI CHEPA was accompanied by Mr. ALEKSEI KHOKHLOV, member of the State Duma Committee on Defence Affairs,the deputy head of mission of the embassy of Russian Federation to Myanmar and officials.
At the meeting, the Senior General said Myanmar and Russia are good old friends, maintaining their cordial ties since olden times.There is close friendship between the leaders of the two countries. It is the first ever meeting between representatives of State Duma of Russia and the Tatmadaw.Myanmar needs political stability and security. The Tatmadaw had led the country from 1988 to 2011.Later, the Tatmadaw government carried out reforms to adopt multiparty democracy aspired by the people. In doing so, the Tatmadaw made gradual changes in the political and economic systems to avoid difficulties. In 2011, it systematically transferred the power to the government elected under the new Constitution. The country now is under the government which is first succeeding administration elected by the Constitution.There is no political competency because of the lack of experience. Hluttaws are the main law-making bodies. During the term of the previous government, the Hluttaw included 75 percent of the representatives who were elected from among the political veterans and elected-representatives of the political parties and 25 percent Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives. The current Hluttaw is formed with 75 percent elected-representatives of the political parties and 25 percent Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives. Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives have many years of experience in the Tatmadaw, and they are bachelor,master or doctoral degree holders as well as medical doctors and engineers. So they can give much help in legislative sector. The Tatmadaw attaches great importance to national cause, said the Senior General.
When it comes to peace and stability for security affairs, the Tatmadaw has been striving for peace and stability of the State since independence was regained.As now is the time when Myanmar is practising multi-party democracy,everything must go in accord with the law. Measures are being taken to motivate the ethnic armed groups to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The country has a large number of ethnic armed groups, and there are a lot of difficulties due to different political backgrounds. Without armed conflict, the country will enjoy peace. Only through peace, will the country develop. A military buildup is only meant for national defence,not for attacking the ethnic armed organizations. Defence measures cannot be taken overnight. Myanmar has already experienced internal and external threats to break up the country since post-independence period. The Tatmadaw is upholding Our Three Main National Causes. It is necessary to act with great care in order not to harm the practice of multi-party democracy and the ongoing peace efforts. Peace building must go democratically and in accordance with the law,said the Senior General.
Mr. ALEXEI CHEPA for his part said parliamentary democracy has been extensively practised by global countries. In any country, the constitution takes an important role.The government of the concerned country has the duty to make their constitution lively and effective.He expressed his understanding on the role of Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives at the Hluttaw and commented it was a correct choice. A saying in the Russian Federation goes “Genuine friend of a country is its armed forces”. Mainly, the Tatmadaw is on duty of ensuring perpetuation of sovereignty of the State. He said he understood the Tatmadaw is of great importance in the role of political reform in Myanmar.The organization which mainly safeguards the independence and sovereignty of the Russian Federation is the armed forces. It can be said that as the Myanmar Tatmadaw is upholding Our Three Main National Causes, it is the correct act. He noted that endeavours of the Tatmadaw are leading to restoring peace in a just and fair manner. He said he observed news and documents on signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).It is a correct step to restore peace.The Russian Federation provided assistance for Syria to be able to restore peace. In so doing, points of the peace agreement drawn by the Russian Federation are similar to that of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) of Myanmar.He expressed his belief that only when all the organizations truly abide by the facts of the agreement,will the armed conflicts cease in Myanmar.
Next, both sides exchanged views on progress in restoring internal peace in Myanmar, visits of Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representatives to the State Duma of the Russian Federation and exchange of experience for contributing to the legislative sectors at the Hluttaw of Myanmar,tasks being done by the Russian Federation for restoring peace in Syria, and further promotion of friendly relations between the two countries and two armed forces.
After the meeting, the Senior General presented commemoratives to the Deputy Head of State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs and party of the Russian Federation and posed for documentary photos.
