Myanmar sends representatives to ASEAN meeting for first time in two years

Seen here is the ASEAN flag

Luang Prabang, Laos:

Myanmar’s military junta sent a senior official to an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Laos on Monday, the first time the diplomatically isolated country has attended a high-level meeting of the regional bloc in more than two years.

The country has been ravaged by deadly violence since a 2021 military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government and launched a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has led diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis but has had little success, with a military crackdown killing more than 4,400 people and detaining nearly 20,000 people, according to local monitoring groups.

Since October 2021, ASEAN has barred junta leaders from attending its summits and ministerial meetings, and generals have declined invitations to send “non-political” representatives.

But on Monday, Marlar Than Htike, a senior foreign ministry official, attended the talks in picturesque Luang Prabang.

Lao Foreign Minister Sarensay Khomasi welcomed Myanmar’s return to the conference after two years and expressed hope for progress, but warned against expecting a quick end to the crisis.

“This time, we are a bit optimistic that engagement might work, although we have to acknowledge that the problems that are happening in Myanmar are not going to be solved overnight,” he said.

“We are convinced that the more we engage with Myanmar, the more we will understand … what is really going on in Myanmar.”

ASEAN tensions

ASEAN’s diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have been repeatedly stymied, with little progress made since ASEAN agreed to a five-point peace plan in 2021, which Myanmar signed but failed to implement.

Frictions among ASEAN members escalated last year over differing approaches to the crisis, particularly after Thailand’s former government decided to meet junta Foreign Minister Than Shwe.

Laos, a one-party communist country with close ties to Myanmar’s most important ally China, holds the rotating chair of ASEAN for the first time since 2016.

“Many members welcome the participation of Myanmar’s non-political representatives,” Salomsay said.

Laos’ call for engagement comes after Laos’ ASEAN envoy Alonkyo Kitikhun met with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw earlier this month.

Myanmar state media reported at the time that the two discussed “the government’s efforts to ensure peace and stability.

But a spokesman for Indonesia – which along with Singapore and the Philippines has taken a tough stance on Myanmar – insisted Monday’s attendance did not mean a change in policy.

“It is true that Myanmar representatives attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luang Prabang. Those present were not ministerial or political representatives. Therefore, this is still in line with the ASEAN leaders’ agreement for 2022,” Mohammad Iqbal told AFP society.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said it was “helpful” for Myanmar representatives to attend the talks.

But he said he “cannot use the word optimistic” about the junta taking steps to implement the five-point peace agreement.

The meeting also highlighted Myanmar’s continued need for humanitarian assistance, with Laos welcoming Thailand-led humanitarian assistance efforts. The kingdom shares a long border with Myanmar.

All ASEAN member states have expressed their willingness to support and ensure that we can provide sufficient and effective help and support to the people of Myanmar. “

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)