ASEAN Continues Discussions On Proposal To Send Observers To Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- ASEAN will continue discussions on deploying observers to Myanmar, along with other initiatives to address the crisis in the country, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said the bloc remains firm that the Five-Point Consensus is the primary reference for guiding regional efforts to help restore peace and stability in Myanmar.

“Regarding sending an ASEAN observation team, we will deliberate at the senior offices level. We reaffirmed the importance of continuity in ASEAN efforts vis-à-vis Myanmar and also discussed the proposal to revise the term of the ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar.

“Regarding the election (in Myanmar), the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (in July) agreed that elections must be fair, transparent, inclusive and credible. We urged the need for inclusive dialogue before the elections,” he said to the reporters here today.

He said ASEAN underscored the need to sustain momentum in its efforts on Myanmar and discussed a proposal to extend the mandate of the ASEAN Special Envoy to support more consistent engagement.

“We agreed to task the senior officers to further deliberate on the proposal. There are a few schools of thought on this — whether we should have a fixed tenure, for example, three years, or continue with the current practice of appointing a special envoy based on the ASEAN chairmanship,” he said.

Mohamad said ASEAN senior officials will deliberate further on the proposal and revisit the issue but stressed that there is no urgency to decide at this stage.

Myanmar’s authorities announced that an election will be held on Dec 28 despite calls to prioritise national peace and stability efforts.

Mohamad also emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those most in need, in line with ASEAN’s humanitarian principles.

He said ASEAN appreciated the contributions of its member states, external partners, the United Nations and the private sector in efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

-- BERNAMA