ASEAN Remains Committed to Dialogue with Myanmar, Foreign Minister Sugiono: Engagement Myanmar Must Be Done

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono attends the 59th AMM Retreat Session in Manila, Philippines. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday (21/7) reiterated their commitment to advancing lasting peace in Myanmar as part of efforts to uphold regional peace, stability, and the centrality of ASEAN, with the Indonesian Foreign Minister stressing that engagement with Myanmar is necessary.

In a press conference after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Expanded Informal Consultation (EIC), Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro said ASEAN remained committed to dialogue with Myanmar and advancing the implementation of the Five Point Consensus (5PC) as a framework for restoring peace and stability in the country.

Adopted by ASEAN in 2021, the Five-Point Consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, provision of humanitarian assistance, appointment of a special envoy, and a visit by a special envoy to Myanmar to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders.

"Through these meetings, I am optimistic about our commitment to help Myanmar achieve a lasting solution owned and led by Myanmar, and which will ultimately benefit the people of Myanmar and the region as a whole," Lazaro said.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, when met by reporters in Manila on Wednesday (22/7), assessed that "engagement with Myanmar must be carried out," although some people think that engagement must be carried out in a limited, gradual manner, but there are also those who think it must be more advanced, must be more progressive."

Foreign Minister Lazaro said the discussion was based on the results of an informal consultation held in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

"During our successful meeting on Myanmar in Bangkok last week, the Informal Further Consultation (EIC) we held today continued our discussions on the next steps, including ASEAN's engagement with Myanmar and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in the country," he said.