The Ministry objects to the usage of a “lack of progress” on the implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus stated in the paragraph on “Developments in Myanmar” in the Joint Communiqué of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the usage of four criminals as they are incorrectly referred to them as “political activists”. Therefore, the Ministry issued a statement that Myanmar didn’t participate in the 55th AMM and related meetings as it is obviously contradictory to Article 5 of the ASEAN Charter on “Rights and Obligations”.
Press Release
Myanmar received the invitation from Cambodia, the current Chair of ASEAN, to the non-political representative from Myanmar to attend the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings from 31 July 2022 to 6 August 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Myanmar didn’t participate in the 55th AMM and related meetings as it is obviously contradictory to Article 5 of the ASEAN Charter on “Rights and Obligations”.
Myanmar accepted the ASEAN five-point consensus as a responsible member of ASEAN. When the ASEAN five-point consensus was discussed, Myanmar clearly stated that it will be undertaken based on evolving domestic situation of the country, the interest of the country, and the principles of the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Way and ASEAN spirit. ASEAN should respect the right of every Member State to refrain from interference in the internal affairs of fellow member states, subversion and coercion. ASEAN should also respect Myanmar’s efforts to manage its internal affairs in line with the State Constitution (2008), and the existing laws and regulations of one country.
The Ministry objects to the usage of a “lack of progress” on the implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus stated in the paragraph on “Developments in Myanmar” in the Joint Communiqué of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as it neglects Myanmar’s efforts on its implementation.
Myanmar never fails in its endeavours to find peace and tranquillity in the country while closely and constructively cooperating with the special envoy of the current ASEAN Chair in the implementation of the five-point consensus. Ongoing peace efforts for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar by adopting five-point roadmap led by the Chairman of the State Administration Council himself are notable progress. In order to achieve enduring peace for the entire nation, the Chairman of the State Administration Council met with leaders of ten Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), and the Peace Negotiation Committee met with EAOs, political parties and peace-seeking organizations for 75 times and had a frank discussion with them to achieve peace across the country.
The Government has always been providing timely information on the terrorist activities of NUG and PDF and the loss of innocent lives and damages caused by those activities despite the government’s all-out efforts for peace in every corner of the country.
If ASEAN member States and external partners genuinely wish to help Myanmar in restoring normalcy, they should not encourage engaging with terrorist groups such as NUG and PDF and should avoid any actions that could encourage terrorism.
The provision of Humanitarian Assistance through the AHA Centre is another tangible progress made under the five-point consensus. While giving special consideration to the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, the Myanmar government will continue facilitating the delivery of broader humanitarian assistance to the people in an equitable and non-discriminatory manner.
Therefore, ASEAN should avoid any one-sided assessment of the implementation of the five-point consensus. Progress of implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus should be assessed in an objective and fair manner based on the factual updates and situations on the ground.
The Ministry strongly objects to and rejects the Joint Statement issued by the AICHR representatives of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore and some ASEAN member states’ expression of their concerns on the execution of four criminals as they are incorrectly referred to them as “political activists”.
Those criminals are executed not because of being democracy activists but because they are found guilty of masterminding, inciting, supporting, arming and committing terrorist activities which caused tremendous loss of innocent lives. Myanmar already explained and sent letters to the Chair and other ASEAN member states about the terrorist activities of those four criminals along with actual facts and data. Hence, it is inappropriate to express those four criminals as “political activists”.
Myanmar will continue to implement its Five-Point Future Plan and will also constructively cooperate with ASEAN while adhering to the “important principles” enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and in line with ASEAN practices. Myanmar will continue facilitating and cooperating with the special envoy of the current ASEAN Chair in the implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus by Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led process without compromising its national sovereignty.
Myanmar believes that ASEAN can maintain its unity and centrality in the long-term only if all ASEAN member states respect the provisions and basic principles of the ASEAN Charter, especially equality, inclusiveness, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States.
Therefore, Myanmar rejects and dissociates the paragraph on “Developments in Myanmar” in the Joint Communiqué of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nay Pyi Taw
Date, 5 August 2022
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar (6.8.2022)
- Myanmar didn’t participate in the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings because Myanmar received the invitation from Cambodia, the current Chair of ASEAN, to the non-political representative from Myanmar to attend the meetings.
- ASEAN should respect the right of every Member State to refrain from interference in the internal affairs of fellow member states, subversion and coercion. ASEAN should also respect Myanmar’s efforts to manage its internal affairs in line with the State Constitution (2008), and the existing laws and regulations of one country.
- Those four criminals are executed not because of being democracy and political activists but because they are found guilty of masterminding, inciting, supporting, arming and committing terrorist activities which caused tremendous loss of innocent lives.
- Myanmar already explained and sent letters to the Chair and other ASEAN member states about the terrorist activities of those four criminals along with actual facts and data. Hence, it is inappropriate to express those four criminals as “political activists”.
- Myanmar will continue facilitating and cooperating with the special envoy of the current ASEAN Chair in the implementation of the ASEAN five-point consensus by Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led process without compromising its national sovereignty.