Naypyidaw, Jan-29

The Asean chair's special envoy will be allowed to meet with all stakeholders in Burma, including armed groups, the SAC’s  Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on January 29. The statement added that the special envoy's participation in ceasefire talks with ethnic armed groups was a result of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar.

Furthermore, Myanmar will uphold the principle of equality in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter in representing the country at the ASEAN meetings.

The full press release is as follows:

Press Release

Myanmar congratulates Cambodia for assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship 2022. Myanmar, being a member of ASEAN, will be extending full support to Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN and its efforts to deliver the priorities set for 2022.

Myanmar appreciates Prime Minister Hun Sen for paying a working visit to Myanmar from 7 to 8 January 2022.

This visit has delivered several positive outcomes particularly on the provision of humanitarian assistance; convening of a meeting among the stakeholders involving special envoy of the ASEAN Chair, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, representatives of AHA Centre, the Myanmar National Task Force to facilitate provision of Humanitarian Assistance through AHA Centre, the Myanmar Red Cross Society and relevant UN Specialized Agencies; pledging to support the special envoy of the ASEAN Chair and to meet with all parties concerned, including EAOs, taking into account of the prevailing situation in Myanmar. Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit has also paved the way for the special envoy to join the ceasefire talks with and among the EAOs.

Myanmar has also taken note of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s dedication to resolve differences in ASEAN through consultations, to maintain the ASEAN solidarity while upholding the ASEAN Charter and for reaching out to stakeholders on the implementation of the five-point consensus.

Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister Hun Sen had a video conference on 26 January 2022 and discussions were held constructively with regard to Myanmar’s continued cooperation with ASEAN.

With regard to the implementation of ASEAN’s five-point consensus, Myanmar, has taken measures to maintain law and order in the country to protect the livelihood of the people by exercising maximum restraint and minimum use of force and cooperated with the ASEAN Chair on the visit of the special envoy to Myanmar after the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held on 24 April 2021. Myanmar’s constructive engagement with ASEAN continues even in the wake of the Emergency ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting which was held on 15 October 2021. To maintain the momentum, Myanmar has welcomed Cambodia’s nomination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn as the next special envoy. Myanmar looks forward to the finalization of his appointment process by all ASEAN Foreign Ministers at an early date. With regard to representation at the ASEAN meetings, Myanmar will continue to stand based on the principles of equality as stipulated in the ASEAN Charter.

With a view to constructively engage with ASEAN, Myanmar, while upholding the principles of the ASEAN Charter, will extend cooperation with the new special envoy to be appointed by the ASEAN Chair.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dated, 29 January 2022