By Linda Khoo
CEBU CITY (Philippines), Jan 29 (Bernama) -- ASEAN has not reached a consensus on endorsing the results of Myanmar’s elections, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said on Thursday.
She noted that the three-phase election concluded on Jan 25, but the results have yet to be announced.
“As far as ASEAN’s collective view is concerned, there is no endorsement at this point in time,” she told a media conference after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat here.
Lazaro said ASEAN also reiterated its commitment to implementing the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) to address the Myanmar crisis, reaffirming that the 5PC remains the primary basis for the bloc’s engagement with Myanmar.
“We emphasised ASEAN’s commitment and role in assisting Myanmar to chart its future and achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis, one that is both Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, while reaffirming that Myanmar remains an integral part of ASEAN,” she said.
Asked whether ASEAN could shift its position and allow Myanmar to attend ASEAN Summits again, Lazaro said any change would depend on consensus among member states.
“ASEAN works by consensus. If there is consensus, then there can be a shift,” she said.
ASEAN barred Myanmar’s leader from attending its summits following the February 2021 coup, with the country represented by senior foreign ministry officials since then.
-- BERNAMA
