ASEAN Condemns Violence in Myanmar, Reaffirms Five-Point Consensus as Main Reference

ASEAN has condemned the ongoing violence against civilians in Myanmar and reaffirmed that the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains the main reference for resolving the political crisis in the country. The stance was emphasised by ASEAN ministers in a joint communiqué following the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Philippines. “We reaffirmed our common position that the 5PC remains the main reference in addressing the political crisis in Myanmar and reaffirmed the relevant decisions of the ASEAN Leaders,” the communiqué stated, as quoted from the official ASEAN website on Friday. ASEAN also condemned acts of violence affecting public facilities and urged all parties involved to take immediate concrete steps to halt indiscriminate violence, protect civilians, and create conditions enabling the delivery of humanitarian assistance without discrimination. In addition to reaffirming the implementation of the 5PC, ASEAN welcomed progress in the distribution of humanitarian aid by the AHA Centre as part of the implementation of the consensus’s fourth point. The bloc also noted the completion of three phases of general elections in Myanmar and subsequent developments. The ASEAN foreign ministers discussed elements for assessing progress on the 5PC implementation as a basis for determining further steps in ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar. Separately, ASEAN welcomed the commitment of Cambodia and Thailand to maintain and strengthen the ceasefire along their shared border. Regarding developments on the Korean Peninsula, ASEAN expressed concern over rising tensions, including a surge in intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests and ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). “We expressed serious concern over the increase in ICBM tests and ballistic missile launches by the DPRK, as well as the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” the ASEAN foreign ministers stated. ASEAN called on the DPRK to comply with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and encouraged the resumption of peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned.