The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) special envoy for the Myanmar crisis, Theresa Lazaro, appointed by the Philippines, the bloc’s rotating chair, held two days of talks with Myanmar resistance groups.
Discussions between Lazaro, who is also the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and anti-coup Myanmar resistance groups were held on January 19 and 20 in Tagaytay, the Philippines.
“The meeting was convened by the ASEAN rotating chair. First, we discussed how to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus to resolve the Myanmar crisis and how to stop the violence. We also talked about the junta’s airstrikes on civilians, humanitarian assistance, scam centers, drug trafficking, and cross-border criminal networks, including human trafficking,” said Salai Van, spokesperson for the Chin National Front (CNF).
In addition to the CNF, resistance groups in attendance included the resistance-run National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC), and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF).
The meeting followed Lazaro’s visit to Myanmar this month, when she met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
“ASEAN rotating chairs have traditionally convened these meetings, engaging stakeholders from Myanmar’s political landscape to help resolve the crisis. Malaysia, which held the chair last year, worked on this throughout its term, and the Philippines has now carried the effort forward. The meeting in the Philippines aimed to explore ways to improve the current situation,” Salai Van added.
Lazaro’s social media page said on January 22 that during the meeting, she encouraged constructive discussions and the sharing of views among Myanmar’s political forces to implement the 5PC.
ASEAN’s 5PC urges all parties to immediately cease violence, engage in constructive dialogue, cooperate with an ASEAN special envoy to mediate, enable the delivery of humanitarian aid, and facilitate the envoy’s visits to meet stakeholders in Myanmar.