Asean Mulls Appointing Permanent Special Envoy To Tackle Myanmar Crisis

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Foreign ministry secretary general Amran Zin says it is incumbent upon us to find a path forward to address a multifaceted crisis that has plagued Myanmar in recent years.
PUTRAJAYA: Asean is discussing the possibility of appointing a permanent special envoy to address the crisis in Myanmar, the foreign ministry said.
“The suggestion for a permanent special envoy has been raised by several Asean member states,” ministry secretary-general Amran Zin said at a media briefing.
Malaysia assumed the chairmanship of Asean on Jan 1 this year.
Amran said the bloc continues to play a central role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among its members, including Myanmar.
“As chair, we will play a key role in working with member states to find a solution to effectively address the crisis in Myanmar.
“We will seek to expand our efforts beyond Asean to include our external partners who have been supportive of improving the situation on the ground,” he said.
Amran reaffirmed Asean’s commitment to a Myanmar-led solution, in line with a five-point consensus adopted by the regional bloc.
The consensus calls for the adoption of various measures to address the multifaceted crisis the country has faced in recent years, including the need for constructive dialogue towards a peaceful solution, humanitarian aid, and the provision of support for peace and stability.
“Myanmar remains a priority for Asean and it is incumbent upon us to find a path forward,” said Amran.
Foreign ministers of Asean member states will meet in Langkawi this weekend for the annual Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, where they will address geopolitical concerns.
The situation in Myanmar remains dire after a military coup four years ago ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy.
The coup sparked widespread protests and civil unrest across the country, leading to violent crackdowns by the military junta. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the violence. - FMT

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