ASEAN Signals No Policy Shift Ahead of Myanmar Talks
Flags of ASEAN member states. Photo: Reuters
Although Southeast Asian neighbors are gradually trying to re-engage with Myanmar, the junta leadership remains isolated at the highest levels of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand indicated on Friday. Bangkok made the remarks just ahead of the first direct meeting between Myanmar's foreign minister and ASEAN foreign ministers since the 2021 military coup.
An informal meeting is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on Sunday, where Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Myo Swe will meet with the foreign ministers of the 11-member ASEAN bloc.
The Philippines, which holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship this year, confirmed on Friday that this will be the first face-to-face meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and Myanmar since the 2021 coup.
Thai Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo said the meetings represent an important step toward gradually and pragmatically re-engaging with Myanmar. She stressed that the discussions are essentially informal bilateral exchanges and will not change ASEAN's position or decisions on the overall situation in Myanmar.
Speaking at a press briefing, she said the discussions are intended to provide an opportunity for open exchanges and to explore ways to resolve the crisis.
Myanmar's military seized power in February 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, ASEAN has barred Naypyidaw from participating in its high-level summits, while the country has remained engulfed in civil war.
ASEAN adopted a five-point peace consensus aimed at ending the conflict through an inclusive national dialogue involving all parties. However, the initiative has made little progress over the past five years. On Thursday, Myanmar's military-controlled Union Parliament formally rejected the five-point proposal.
Analysts say divisions are emerging among ASEAN member states over Myanmar's possible reintegration into the bloc. Led by Thailand, some countries are willing to accept limited concessions or changes by Myanmar and bring it back into ASEAN. Others continue to maintain a hard-line stance against the military junta.
The governments of Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam have confirmed that their foreign ministers will attend Sunday's meeting. However, the Thai spokesperson said the guest list is still being finalized. She described the junta's presidential election as a new opportunity, although the vote was tightly controlled.
The Philippines said Myanmar's foreign minister will brief his ASEAN counterparts on the current situation in the country during the meeting.
According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, more than 100,000 people have been killed in Myanmar's civil war so far.
Source: AFP (adapted)
