Myanmar junta, Cambodia seek closer defence and security ties

By Admin 12 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 September 2026, Nay Pyi Taw

Officials from the Myanmar military junta and Cambodia held talks on closer bilateral cooperation in defence and security, according to a statement released by the junta-controlled Ministry of Information (MOI).

Self-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on September 11 at the Office of the Prime Minister of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation, mutual support in international forums, defence and security cooperation, trade expansion, and joint efforts to combat online scams and illegal gambling networks.

“I express my gratitude to Cambodia for consistently supporting positive developments in Myanmar. As I serve as President, I firmly assure that I will make every effort to strengthen and solidify bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and Myanmar,” Min Aung Hlaing said during the meeting.

The discussions also covered domestic developments in Myanmar, cooperation within ASEAN, and closer engagement in regional political, economic, educational and social sectors.

The military regime signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements with Cambodia. These included agreements on the mutual promotion and protection of investments, the avoidance of double taxation, cultural cooperation, and an MoU on information sector collaboration.

Political analysts said former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is actively seeking international recognition and support in an effort to regain access to ASEAN summits.

“While they claim to cooperate on defence and security with Cambodia, Cambodia itself is not a technologically advanced nation. Although Cambodia sustains its economy through tourism, it is unlikely to offer significant security or defence capabilities to the regime,” said political analyst U Aung Marm Oo.

“The primary advantage for the regime is that Cambodia can offer political backing for Myanmar’s reintegration into ASEAN high-level meetings. Otherwise, this cooperation will have little nationwide impact on defence or security matters,” he added.

The military regime has been barred from attending ASEAN summits since October 2021 following its failure to implement the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus.

Before visiting Cambodia, Min Aung Hlaing visited Vietnam from September 4 to 6, where he discussed strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation, trade and investment.

Since assuming the presidency, Min Aung Hlaing has visited eight countries, including ASEAN members Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, as well as non-ASEAN nations China, Russia, India and Belarus.