Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Asean special envoy to brief Myanmar junta ahead of leaders' summit
The Philippines' foreign secretary will visit Myanmar this week to engage with the military leadership and update regional ministers on progress toward resolving the political crisis.
LSN Malaysia ·
Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro is set to travel to Naypyidaw on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Thailand's foreign minister, in a significant diplomatic engagement with Myanmar's military authorities.
The visit comes as Asean seeks to maintain dialogue channels with the junta and address the ongoing humanitarian and political crisis in the Southeast Asian nation. Lazaro's discussions in Myanmar are expected to inform briefings with fellow Asean foreign ministers ahead of the regional bloc's leaders' summit scheduled for next month.
The Philippines holds the Asean chair for 2023 and has been tasked with coordinating the bloc's response to Myanmar's internal conflict. The diplomatic mission reflects ongoing efforts by Asean to encourage dialogue and progress on its five-point consensus, which calls for an end to violence, humanitarian assistance, and dialogue among all Myanmar stakeholders.
The visit underscores the delicate balance Asean maintains in engaging with Myanmar's military government while addressing international concern over the humanitarian situation and democratic backsliding in the country since the February 2021 coup.