Metro Manila, Philippines- Southeast Asian foreign ministers will hold their first in-person meeting with Myanmar’s foreign minister since the military seized power in 2021, marking what Philippine officials described as a significant step in the regional bloc’s renewed engagement with the crisis-hit member state.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday, July 10, that Foreign Affairs Secretary and ASEAN Chair Ma. Theresa Lazaro will lead an informal meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe on Sunday, July 12, in Bangkok. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkow will host the meeting.
The gathering follows a decision by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu in May directing foreign ministers to pursue “constructive and principled engagement” with Myanmar while remaining committed to the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus.
ASEAN spokesperson Dax Imperial said the meeting reflects the leaders’ recognition that Myanmar remains part of the regional bloc despite years of political turmoil.
“Myanmar is, of course, an integral part of ASEAN,” Imperial told reporters on the sidelines of Friday’s commemoration of the 2016 arbitral award. “Because of that, there is a need to have more engagement with Myanmar.”
Myanmar’s foreign minister is expected to brief ASEAN counterparts on developments in the country before ministers discuss possible next steps on implementing the Five-Point Consensus, particularly efforts to end violence, promote dialogue among all parties and expand humanitarian assistance.
Imperial said the informal nature of the gathering does not diminish its significance.
“The fact that we have this informal meeting is already a big step because it’s an engagement with Myanmar,” he said.
Representatives from all 10 ASEAN member states are expected to attend, although not all will be represented by their foreign ministers.
Asked whether the meeting could pave the way for Myanmar’s leaders to return to future ASEAN summits, Imperial said it was too early to make that determination.
“That will depend on the discussions on July 12,” he said.
He added that ASEAN’s current policy remains unchanged and that any decision on Myanmar’s future participation would depend on “measurable or concrete progress” in implementing the Five-Point Consensus.
Imperial said ASEAN remains hopeful that renewed dialogue can produce results.
“We’re hopeful because it’s already the leaders who are saying that we need to re-engage with Myanmar given the developments,” he said.
“Myanmar has also been very open, and I don’t think we would have this meeting on July 12 without that receptiveness,” he added.
