ASEAN keeps Myanmar restrictions but opens path to political return

Résumé détaillé

In a notable step, the bloc also appeared to endorse bilateral outreach to Myanmar among its member countries.

In a notable step, the bloc also appeared to endorse bilateral outreach to Myanmar among its member countries.

MANILA: Southeast Asian leaders said on Sunday (Nov 15) they may consider gradually restoring Myanmar's full political representation in the regional bloc, if the country makes progress on their longstanding plan to resolve its five-year-old crisis.

Leaders of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed at a summit in Manila to maintain their policy of excluding Myanmar from full political representation at ASEAN summits and foreign ministers' meetings for now.

But they said they had agreed to pursue a "calibrated engagement" through a "phased and progress-based" approach, if Myanmar makes "sustained and concrete" progress on the bloc's proposed plan, known as the five-point consensus, or 5PC.

Following a 2021 military coup, ASEAN has excluded Myanmar from high-level meetings as it has yet to make meaningful progress on the bloc's Five-Point Consensus to end hostilities.

During a meeting in April 2021, all ASEAN leaders reached a consensus about the situation in Myanmar.

First, there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint.

Second, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.

Third, a special envoy of the ASEAN chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the secretary-general of ASEAN.

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