Despite ASEAN’s concerns, Myanmar stresses implementation of five-point consensus in line with national interests
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Phyo(NP News)-Nov 2
Despite ASEAN's accusation that the implementation of the five-point consensus has been delayed, Myanmar has tried to implement the five-point consensus without harming Myanmar's national interests and sovereignty, said National Defense and Security Council spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
In an ASEAN’s statement, ASEAN foreign ministers reiterated the bloc’s earlier decision to bar political representatives of Myanmar’s leader from attending ASEAN summits until meaningful progress is made on implementing the Five-Point Consensus.
In response to that statement, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said that the five-point consensus was not approved during the ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia in April 2021; rather, it was a statement issued after the meeting. He added that they have tried to cooperate without harming Myanmar's national interests and sovereignty.
"We must stop the violence as soon as possible in relation to these consensus, and in this regard, we must also speak about the violent acts of the NUG and PDF terrorist insurgents who are waging violence in Myanmar. From February 1, 2021 to October 25 of this year, 8,149 innocent people, including monks, nuns, and civil servants, were unjustly arrested and killed, in addition to more than 10,000 landmine attacks and more than 1,300 arson attacks," said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
Regarding these terrorist acts, the Tatmadaw is doing its best to protect the country, along with the Myanmar Police Force and people’s militia, which are jointly responsible for national security, he said.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun continued, "Secondly, regarding the peaceful solution, we have designated 2022 as the year of peace and invited armed groups to meet and discuss. We have met several times with political parties, including seven NCA signatories and three non-signatories, totaling 10 ethnic armed groups. In addition, we have agreed on 43 points to amend the 2008 Constitution. We recently celebrated the NCA anniversary and are continuing discussions."
Regarding the third consensus, namely the special envoy of the ASEAN Chairman to assist in the negotiations, "There have been five special envoys appointed by ASEAN since 2021. We are cooperating with them on their visits to Myanmar. We have also arranged for the special envoys of the ASEAN Chairman to meet with political parties and government members. In addition, we are fully cooperating with the fourth consensus namely the provision of humanitarian assistance provided by the AHA Center," said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
"The last point is the meeting of the ASEAN Chairman's special envoy with relevant parties in Myanmar. Whenever the ASEAN Chairman's special envoy comes, we have made arrangements to meet with those who are possible and willing, including government members and political parties. We may not be able to allow them to meet with prisoners who have committed crimes and are serving criminal sentences. I would like to ask them in which country they were allowed to meet with the prisoners," said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said that it is necessary to always observe the principles of independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN member states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN members. If we act based on the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Way and ASEAN Spirit, which have been agreed upon by all members since the establishment of ASEAN, it will bring greater unity and benefits to our ASEAN member states.
In addition, ASEAN has decided not to allow Myanmar to represent the country at its meetings and has also announced that it will not send observers to the elections under the ASEAN banner scheduled for December 28, 2025.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn stated on October 30 that during the recent summit, members discussed Myanmar’s invitation for election observers. The now 11-member bloc ultimately decided to decline the offer and will not send an observation mission under the ASEAN banner.
“Collectively, we will not have an ASEAN observation team,” Kao said during a briefing in Jakarta.
However, he noted that individual ASEAN member states may still choose to send their own observer teams if they wish. “But that decision is up to each ASEAN member state,” Kao added. –