MINSK, 21 August (BelTA) – If friendship relations are present between countries, then distance cannot hinder the advancement of cooperation. Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing was confident of that during expanded negotiations with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk on 21 August, BelTA has learned.

The Myanmar president remarked that he was glad to have an opportunity to meet with the Belarusian leader in order to continue a productive dialogue. “It is my fourth visit to Belarus but the first one in the presidential capacity,” Min Aung Hlaing said.

In his words, he is particularly proud of the fact that Aleksandr Lukashenko’s official visit to Myanmar in November 2025 was the Belarusian head of state’s first visit over the 26 years of diplomatic relations between the countries. And the Belarus president’s working visit in July 2026 was the first visit of a foreign leader after Min Aung Hlaing became Myanmar’s president.

“Relations between our countries develop dynamically and grow noticeably stronger thanks to visits and joint work. I am convinced that if there is friendship and collaboration, then distance is not a hindrance [to the advancement of cooperation],” Min Aung Hlaing stressed.

He pointed out that for the sake of more intensive dialogue and for the sake of stepping up the interaction the parties are implementing the intention to increase the level of diplomatic presence. The Myanmar ambassador to Belarus has already presented his credentials to the Belarusian head of state. A Myanmar embassy will be opened in Minsk. In turn, Myanmar supports the opening of the Belarusian diplomatic mission.