Article by:
Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The re-engagement of Myanmar leaders into Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings is “still far off” and is unlikely to happen within 2026 or Singapore’s chairship next year.
At a press conference following the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Pasay City on Thursday, Lazaro noted that there were still “questions” on the Myanmar government’s compliance to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), which stays as the bloc’s “primary reference” in addressing the crisis there.
“I guess, right now I can say it's still far off. At this point of time, it's still the Five-Point Consensus that is still being the foundational document that we are looking at,” she said.
“During the discussions with the foreign minister of Myanmar, there have been a lot of questions on their compliance with the Five-Point Consensus. It may not happen yet, but let's see the compliance that they can give,” she added.
But she noted that ASEAN is “patient” and will wait and look “for whatever they can give" in terms of 5PC implementation.
“If there is compliance, then that means it will change. There's no view whether there's a number of countries who doesn't like Myanmar to sit on their seat. So, it's really the compliance to the 5PC,” she said.
On humanitarian assistance, Lazaro confirmed that she will lead a delegation to Myanmar on the fourth quarter of 2026, and visit certain areas occupied by ethnic organizations.
“The impact here is really trying to reach out to the vulnerable communities in Myanmar,” she said.
“Of course, permits will be asked from the junta government, and that now talks about their ability to really reach out to us,” she added.
The mission, she said, will be in coordination with the ASEAN Humanitarian Center based in Jakarta and several other international humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Médecins Sans Frontières, and the World Food Programme. (PNA)
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