BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, hosted informal ministerial-level discussions with Myanmar’s six neighboring countries on December 19 to address shared challenges stemming from the crisis in Myanmar. Representatives from Laos, China, India, and Bangladesh participated, discussing collaborative efforts to manage issues such as border security, transnational crimes, and humanitarian concerns. An informal ASEAN dialogue, chaired by Laos on December 20, complemented the discussions, advancing regional solutions within the ASEAN framework.
According to Maris, the regional talks considered collective strategies to combat cross-border challenges, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and online fraud, while promoting regional stability. Neighboring countries expressed their willingness to support Myanmar in addressing its internal challenges, with the discussions seen as a step toward fostering dialogue and cooperation to tackle the crisis.
During the ASEAN dialogue, member states reaffirmed their commitment to the Five-Point Consensus, which includes the cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among stakeholders, the provision of humanitarian aid, and engagement with a special envoy. The measures are intended to steer Myanmar toward resolving its internal conflicts while promoting collaboration and goodwill among all involved parties.
Through discussions with neighboring countries and support for ASEAN’s framework, Maris made clear Thailand’s commitment to advancing regional peace and stability while urging Myanmar to make progress in addressing its challenges. (NNT)
