Myanmar junta’s foreign minister to meet ASEAN counterparts in Bangkok

Mizzima Myanmar’s junta-appointed Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe said 9 July he will attend an upcoming informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Bangkok on 12 July. According to Thailand’s and Vietnam’s foreign ministries, which confirmed the meeting the same day, the gathering is meant to let ASEAN foreign ministers exchange views directly with Tin Maung Swe. Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang described it as a chance to “directly exchange views, strengthen cooperation, and promote reconciliation dialogue in Myanmar.” The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted its Five-Point Consensus peace plan at an April 2021 summit in Jakarta, weeks after Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup. The plan called for an end to violence, dialogue among all parties, humanitarian access and the appointment of a special envoy. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing attended the summit himself. When the military failed to implement the plan, ASEAN barred junta officials from its summits and ministerial meetings, restricting Myanmar’s seat to non-political representatives. Tin Maung Swe made the announcement in Myanmar’s military-controlled Union Parliament, in response to a motion from the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) urging the regime to seek a review of the Five-Point Consensus. He told lawmakers he believed Myanmar would “regain its original role and rights within ASEAN,” citing support from India, China and Laos. The post Myanmar junta’s foreign minister to meet ASEAN counterparts in Bangkok appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.