AT the invitation of Mr Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, a Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney-General of the Union Dr Thida Oo attended the 13th St Petersburg International Legal Forum from 19 to 21 May in St Petersburg, Russia. The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
During the trip, the Myanmar delegation also took part in the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Mutual Protection of Citizens from the Misuse of International Legal Processes. On 23 May, at the invitation of Mr Igor Krasnov, Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, the delegation visited Moscow to attend the bilateral meeting held at the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation. At this event, both sides signed a supplementary agreement outlining the procedures for implementing the earlier agreement on the mutual protection of citizens. Legal experts from both countries also participated in a workshop during this visit.
At the forum’s panel discussion on “Combating International Cybercrime,” the Union Minister addressed the gathering. She stated that cybercrimes, digital offences, online fraud, and human trafficking are transnational in nature and increasingly pose threats to global society. She emphasized that these crimes cannot be solved by a single country alone and it requires international cooperation. She noted that Myanmar, as a member of ASEAN, is working collaboratively with other ASEAN member states. She further remarked that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies should also be considered in delivering cross-border legal services and handling international legal matters.
Dr Thida Oo also took part in the ministerial-level discussion session of the international legal forum.
While the 13th St Petersburg International Legal Forum was underway, a signing ceremony was held for the agreement on the mutual protection of citizens from misuse in international judicial proceedings. The Union Minister and Union Attorney-General and Russian Minister of Justice Mr Konstantin Chuychenko signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
On 23 May, she held talks with the Russian Prosecutor General. A follow-up signing ceremony was held for the supplementary protocol detailing procedures for implementing the agreement on mutual protection from judicial misuse. They and signed the protocol.
Following the ceremony, representatives from both the Ministry of Legal Affairs of Myanmar and the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation discussed the 2024-2025 Joint Cooperation Programme to be implemented under their memorandum of understanding. As part of this programme, representatives from both countries attended and participated in the 2025 bilateral legal dialogue. — MNA/ KNN
