Federation Council Speaker met with Kyu Kyu Hla, First Lady of Myanmar and the spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko held a meeting with Kyu Kyu Hla, spouse of the Chairperson of the State Administrative Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The visit of the Myanmar delegation to Moscow coincides with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
Highlighting the participation of Myanmar’s armed forces in the Victory Day parade on Red Square, Valentina Matvienko emphasised the special character of Russian-Myanmar relations. She noted that Russia honours the heroic resistance of the Myanmar people against Japanese militarism during World War II. “May 9 holds deep significance for us,” she stated. “The Red Army played a decisive role in liberating the world from fascism and Nazism, and the peoples of the Soviet Union bore immense sacrifices. Every family honours the memory of that war.”
The Speaker of the Federation Council recalled her discussions with Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing during his official visit to Russia in March of this year, highlighting his close and trusting relationship with President Vladimir Putin, a key factor shaping the bilateral agenda between Russia and Myanmar.
Valentina Matvienko noted that Kyu Kyu Hla is recognised in Russia not only as the spouse of the Prime Minister of Myanmar, but also as a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of non-governmental organisations focused on women’s empowerment. “Your diverse initiatives span vital areas such as healthcare, education, family, and child welfare. These are priorities we deeply value as well.”
The Federation Council Speaker noted that Kyu Kyu Hla’s video address to participants in the Fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum in 2024 was both meaningful and well-received. “This forum is a landmark platform for women across the globe that draws an increasing number of international delegations each year,” she emphasised.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. “Russia responded without delay and extended a helping hand by dispatching a substantial team of rescuers and medical personnel, along with humanitarian aid,” Valentina Matvienko said.
Kyu Kyu Hla expressed gratitude for Russia’s support during Myanmar’s most challenging times and thanked the Russian side for the warm reception and the opportunity to meet at the Federation Council.
In their conversation, Valentina Matvienko and Kyu Kyu Hla also discussed cooperation in education, cultural exchange, and the expansion of tourism between the two countries. The Speaker of the Federation Council highlighted the growing interest among the people of Myanmar in learning the Russian language.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrey Denisov, and First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Galina Karelova.
The previous day, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko, along with the Chairperson of the State Administrative Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, and his spouse, Kyu Kyu Hla, visited the Bolshoi Theatre.