ASEAN Stands By Five-Point Consensus, Pushes Implementation On Myanmar

ASEAN has reaffirmed the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as its primary framework for addressing the situation in Myanmar, with a renewed focus on humanitarian assistance, reducing violence, and promoting inclusive political dialogue.

Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, who is also the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy on Myanmar, said the 5PC remains the basis of ASEAN's engagement with all stakeholders, including Myanmar's government.

 “As a special envoy of the chair to Myanmar, it has always been a basic document, as well as discussion, is the Five-Point Consensus. And the stakeholders, as well as that of the Myanmar government, we've always used that.

“And it's really – they reject it or not, we stood, I stand back, and I think ASEAN stands behind the Five-Point Consensus,” she told reporters at a joint press conference with Thailand's Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, on Sunday.

Adopted in April 2021, the 5PC calls for an immediate end to violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, humanitarian assistance, and mediation by an ASEAN Special Envoy engaging all stakeholders in Myanmar. Last week, Myanmar's parliament passed a motion rejecting the peace plan.

Speaking after the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers with Myanmar's Foreign Minister and the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar, Lazaro said ASEAN had conveyed three key expectations to Myanmar.

First, she said the regional bloc sought to expand humanitarian assistance, including through the ASEAN Chair's planned humanitarian mission to explore ways of increasing aid delivery.

Second, ASEAN urged a reduction in violence, particularly against civilians, she said.

Third, it called for a more inclusive political dialogue to advance national reconciliation, including fostering a conducive political environment and securing the release of political prisoners, she added.

Lazaro described the meeting as a significant step forward, noting that it was the first in-person meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and Myanmar's foreign minister since the political crisis began in 2021.

Meanwhile, Sihasak, whose government hosted the meeting, said Thailand supports ASEAN's policy of calibrated engagement with Myanmar, stressing that it requires reciprocal efforts from Naypyidaw.

"This calibrated engagement is a two-way street. The Myanmar side has to reach out as well and address the concerns of ASEAN and the international community.

"All of us reaffirm our commitment to the Five-Point Consensus, but the key issue is the strategy for implementing it," he said.

Asked whether Myanmar had been given a timeline to address ASEAN's concerns, Sihasak said the regional bloc would assess progress at the ASEAN Summit later this year.

Earlier, the meeting chaired by the Philippines as ASEAN's current Chair was attended by all the foreign ministers of the ASEAN member states except Cambodia, which was not represented, while Malaysia was represented by Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Amran Mohamed Zin.

Source: Bernama