JAKARTA: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on a five-point consensus regarding the Myanmar crisis in a special meeting attended by heads of state and the Myanmar military. The consensus urged an end to violence and called for constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, which ASEAN regarded as “beyond expectations”, Global Times reported on Sunday.
Experts noted that the consensus will effectively promote the de-escalation of the Myanmar situation, and ASEAN’s taking the initiative in the matter as “the most proper and justifiable body” would avert intervention by the West.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday commented on the talks, calling them “timely and important,” during his telephone conversations with the leaders of Thailand and Brunei. The emergency gathering, which was attended by Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing and six heads of state, as well as three foreign ministers representing ASEAN, was the first in-person meeting among ASEAN members since the initial COVID-19 outbreak, and it was also the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar. It was also the first time for Min Aung Hlaing to leave his country after the major cabinet reshuffle that took place in February.
According to the statement rolled out after the meeting, ASEAN agreed on an “immediate cessation of violence” and sought a peaceful solution in the interests of the Myanmar people through constructive dialogue.
A special envoy of the ASEAN Chair will also be sent to Myanmar to facilitate the process, and will meet with all parties concerned, read the statement, adding that humanitarian assistance will be provided to Myanmar.
Although there was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that Min Aung Hlaing “did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues,” and the talks were “beyond our expectations,” reported Reuters.
Chinese experts believed that the five-point consensus will be conducive to the easing of the Myanmar situation, and they have helped to create a friendly environment for future dialogue, but the key to settling the problem lies in the implementation of the consensus.
– The Daily Mail-Global Times News exchange item
