KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Asean will conduct a comprehensive review of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) three years after its adoption, towards a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Myanmar crisis.
In a joint communique issued yesterday after the 57th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) held in Vientiane, Laos, the Asean diplomats discussed developments in Myanmar and expressed deep concern over the escalation of conflicts and the humanitarian situation.
“We reaffirm our united position that the Asean Leaders’ 5PC remains our main reference for addressing the political crisis in Myanmar.
“We will conduct a comprehensive review of the 5PC and submit our recommendation to the 44th and 45th Asean Summits in Laos in October,” it said.
Laos is this year’s Asean Chair. The 44th and 45th Asean Summits and related meetings are set to be held from October 8 to 11.
The 5PC was agreed upon at the Asean Leaders’ Meeting in April 2021, two months after the military seized power from the democratically elected civilian government. The five points of consensus are: an immediate end of violence, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, allowing humanitarian assistance by Asean, and allowing an Asean special envoy to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers expressed their special recognition for Alounkeo Kittikhoun, the Special Envoy of the Asean Chair on Myanmar, for his dedication to implementing the 5PC.
“We appreciate his efforts to continue reaching out to all concerned parties in a sustainable manner and are confident in his resolve to help the people of Myanmar achieve an inclusive and durable peaceful resolution that is Myanmar-owned and -led, for peace, security, and stability in the region,” it said.
The foreign ministers also welcomed the convening of an informal consultation consisting of the current, previous, and incoming Asean chairs on the implementation of the 5PC during the 57th AMM and related meetings.
They strongly condemned the continued acts of violence against civilians and public facilities and called for immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar.
The ministers urged all parties to take concrete action to halt indiscriminate violence, denounce escalation, exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection and safety of all civilians, and create an environment conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue.
The Asean foreign ministers also welcomed the progress made in providing aid through the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance.
“As of July 10 this year, approximately US$1.88 million (RM8.75 million) in aid has been distributed under Phase 2 of the response. This assistance includes food items such as rice, pulses, oil, and salt, as well as non-food items like family and personal hygiene kits,” it said.
— Bernama
