Russia, Myanmar prioritize economic relations, implement big joint projects - Putin

MOSCOW. Aug 18 (Interfax) - Russia and Myanmar are for the rule of international law, sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Russia and Myanmar share truly strong, time-tested bonds of friendship, partnership and mutual assistance," Putin said after talks with the president of Myanmar at the Kremlin on Tuesday.

The bilateral relations continue to strengthen, taking on a new concrete meaning, he said. "We are working on and implementing a whole host of major joint projects," Putin said, adding that they had all been discussed in detail during the talks.

The meeting also involved an exchange of views on pressing international topics, he said. "We firmly stand by the principles of the rule of international law, sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs," Putin said.

Russia and Myanmar prioritize their economic ties and are also widening their scientific, academic, youth, tourist and sports exchanges, helped directly by the visa-free travel between the two countries, Putin said.

"Very soon Myanmar will open a Consulate General in Vladivostok. Myanmar's cultural and religious centers are working in our Altai Territory, the Kaluga region, and the Moscow region," Putin said. He said the president of Myanmar had told him that the two sides agreed to build a Russian Orthodox church in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon.