Metro Manila, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro secured ASEAN’s support for a planned humanitarian mission to Myanmar after leading back-to-back meetings on the political situation in the conflict-hit country in Thailand.
Lazaro, who also serves as the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy on Myanmar, met with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe and later chaired an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers with their Myanmar counterpart on July 12.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Lazaro and Tin Maung Swe held a candid and constructive discussion on advancing the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and ways the regional bloc could assist Myanmar in normalizing its relations with ASEAN.
During the informal meeting, the Myanmar foreign minister briefed ASEAN counterparts on developments in the country.
The briefing covered the government’s implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, its 100-day Peace Plan and efforts to combat transnational crime.
ASEAN foreign ministers have reaffirmed that the Five-Point Consensus remains the primary framework for addressing the political crisis in Myanmar.
They also called for concrete and measurable progress in implementing the regional peace plan.
During the meetings, Lazaro committed to leading a humanitarian mission to Myanmar in the fourth quarter of the year. The mission aims to expand access to communities in dire need of assistance.
The DFA said the proposal has received unanimous support from all stakeholders.
The talks marked the first in-person engagement between ASEAN foreign ministers and their Myanmar counterpart since 2021.
This diplomatic step was previously mandated by regional leaders during the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu.
Lazaro also reiterated that Myanmar remains an integral part of ASEAN.
