Vietnam and Myanmar agree to elevate defence and security cooperation
Talks between To Lam and Min Aung Hlaing covered military exchanges, investment, technology and closer coordination through ASEAN and Mekong frameworks.
- Vietnam and Myanmar have agreed to make defence and security a central pillar of their bilateral relations following a meeting between their leaders.
- The two nations committed to preventing any individual or organization from using their territory to conduct activities against the other country.
- Cooperation will be expanded to include joint search-and-rescue operations, disaster response, military training, and increased information sharing to combat crime.
A broader agenda linking security, trade and technology emerged from talks in Hanoi on Saturday (September 5), when Vietnamese leader To Lam received Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing.
The leaders agreed to make defence and security a pillar of relations between the two countries.
The visit was Min Aung Hlaing’s first official trip to Vietnam since becoming Myanmar’s president.
To build political trust, the two countries will increase high-level exchanges and use their existing cooperation mechanisms more effectively.
They also renewed a commitment to prevent any individual or organisation from conducting activities against one country from the territory of the other.
Search-and-rescue operations and disaster response will be developed alongside military training and exchanges between young officers.
A government statement said information sharing would be increased and coordination against crime strengthened.
Myanmar’s interest in technology, telecommunications and industrial development was highlighted by Min Aung Hlaing’s Friday programme, which took him to Viettel and to a factory in northern Vietnam producing VinFast electric vehicles.
On economic cooperation, Lam said, “Vietnam stands ready to share its experience in national development, ensuring economic security and fostering sustainable growth.”
The two leaders identified high-tech agriculture, food processing, telecommunications, information technology, digital transformation, energy and transport infrastructure as fields for expanded economic, trade and investment ties.
The regional component of the discussions centred on closer coordination in ASEAN and Mekong subregional frameworks.
The statement said Vietnam and Myanmar also supported peace and stability in the South China Sea, together with freedom of navigation and overflight.
Source: Reuters
