Myanmar and Four ASEAN Foreign Ministers Hold Informal Meeting... "Discussing Resolution of Bloodshed"

Thailand Government "Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Also Participate"
Exchange of Opinions on Normalization Measures for Myanmar Situation

Flames and smoke rise in a residential area of Dantlang, Myanmar due to government army shelling [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Junran] Foreign ministers from five ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, held an informal meeting to discuss solutions to the bloodshed that erupted following the Myanmar military coup and to explore ways to normalize the situation.

According to AFP on the 23rd, the Thai government announced that the foreign ministers of four ASEAN countries?Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar's military government?met locally the previous day.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The participants met and engaged in sincere and constructive dialogue," adding, "They exchanged views on ways to normalize the Myanmar situation and, in particular, were able to hear directly from the parties involved."

They also explained that discussions were held on methods to promote the implementation of the ASEAN agreement aimed at resolving the Myanmar crisis.

Earlier, in April last year, ASEAN agreed on five points, including an immediate cessation of violence, at a special summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia, attended by Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's military government, to resolve the Myanmar situation.

However, the Myanmar military government has not ceased its violent crackdown on opposition forces and has failed to implement the peace agreement.

In response, ASEAN excluded Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin from the foreign ministers' meeting held in Cambodia in February this year. Furthermore, the attendance of Commander-in-Chief Hlaing was also barred at the summits held last October and last month.

Notably, at the summit held last month, ASEAN issued a joint statement strongly responding by declaring that if the Myanmar military government does not comply with the peace agreement to end the bloodshed within the deadline, it will be effectively excluded from the organization.

The international community is also urging a swift resolution to the Myanmar bloodshed. On the 21st (local time), the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution demanding the Myanmar military immediately cease violence and release all political prisoners arbitrarily detained, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

The resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom, was supported by 12 council members excluding China, Russia, and India.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.