Myanmar leaders’ return to ASEAN meetings ‘still far off’: Philippines

AYEYARWADDY TIMES July 24 – Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro said on July 23 that it is “still far off” for Myanmar leaders to be allowed to participate again in ASEAN summit meetings. Lazaro told a press conference that it is still uncertain for Myanmar military leaders to be allowed to participate again in ASEAN summit meetings as Myanmar, which is affected by war, is still being assessed on its adherence to ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus. Lazaro, who is also the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar, said, “It is still very far. There are many questions regarding their compliance.” Lazaro, who is scheduled to lead a humanitarian delegation to Myanmar at the end of 2026, said it is still uncertain whether she will be able to meet with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was overthrown and detained in the 2021 coup. She further stated that ASEAN will issue standards to measure progress on the peace roadmap, and if these standards are not followed, it will be considered non-compliance. In April 2021, two months after the military coup, military leader Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the ASEAN peace plan. Myanmar leaders were banned from attending ASEAN summit meetings because the roadmap, which calls for holding consultations, ceasing attacks, and providing humanitarian assistance, was not implemented. Ref; Myanmar leaders’ return to ASEAN meetings ‘still far off’: Grouping’s envoy