ASEAN Wants Myanmar Fully Back One Day

The ASEAN bloc has expressed its hope that Myanmar will be able to fully rejoin the bloc, stating that it will continue to handle the situation in accordance with the five-point consensus. Since the military coup in February 2021 that overthrew the democratically elected government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the coup leaders have been barred from attending ASEAN summit meetings. The ASEAN bloc has issued a five-point consensus calling for dialogue between stakeholders and an end to violence, and has repeatedly sent special envoys to promote progress. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said at the ASEAN Media Forum held in Manila that the five-point consensus remains the main policy in dealing with Myanmar. He said he wants the conflicts to end as soon as possible and wants to see Myanmar fully rejoin the ASEAN bloc. Although representatives of the military government are barred from attending ASEAN summit meetings and high-level dialogues, Myanmar continues to pay its membership fees to ASEAN. ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Therese Lazaro, is planning a humanitarian trip to Myanmar later this year. Lazaro, who is also the Philippine Foreign Minister, said that if she can meet with the detained Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she will be able to address criticisms of ASEAN's actions. He said he hopes to meet and discuss with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and is working to push the process forward. Currently, the Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN and will hand it over to Singapore next year. Ref; Jakarta Globe