ASEAN Affairs: Press Release on ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat.

It states that the Ministry takes note of the Press Statement of the Chairman of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMM Retreat) held on 17 February 2022. The Ministry welcomes the initiatives taken to accelerate regional integration through the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025).

On the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, while taking note of the entry into force of the RCEP Agreement on 1 January 2022, the Ministry would like to recall that Myanmar is one of the signatory states to early deposit its instrument of ratification of the RCEP in accordance with the provision of the RCEP Agreement.

However, the Ministry regrets that Myanmar’s ratification of RCEP have been politicized by some members and therefore the depository was not able to comply with the provisions of the RCEP Agreement ultimately causing delays for the Agreement to enter into force for Myanmar.

Such course of action will not only damage ASEAN’s credibility but also the credibility of the ASEAN Secretariat. Myanmar hopes that such course of action will never take place again. The Ministry welcomes ASEAN Chair’s emphasis on strengthening ASEAN centrality and unity in ASEAN’s external relations through promoting ASEAN norms and principles.

Myanmar is encouraged by the increasing request by countries to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The Ministry notes ASEAN’s continued support for Myanmar’s repatriation efforts, especially on the follow-up to the recommendations of the Preliminary Need Assessment (PNA) in facilitating the voluntary return of the displaced persons from Rakhine State in a safe, secure and dignified manner.

While ASEAN looks forward to the conduct of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) when conditions allow, Myanmar again encourages the Secretary-General of ASEAN to revitalize the High-Level Coordination Meeting to finalize the remaining project proposals as well as to identify possible areas for ASEAN to effectively facilitate the repatriation process.

On the implementation of the five-point consensus, significant progress and challenges have been briefed to the diplomats in Yangon on 8 February 2022 by the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Ministry welcomes Mr. PrakSokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as the special envoy of the ASEAN Chair.

The Ministry notes that while some deliberations were constructive on the implementation of the five-point consensus, two members have suggested special envoy to engage with unlawful associations and terrorist groups which Myanmar Government has declared as terrorist groups.

The Ministry would like to recall that the Anti-Terrorism Central Committee of Myanmar has declared CRPH, NUG and all their subordinates as terrorist groups on 8 May 2021 for perpetrating violence and pursuing total destructive path which are conducive to terrorism in the country.

Suggesting the special envoy to engage with such groups are not only contrary to the principles of the ASEAN Charter but also undermine ASEAN’s counter-terrorism efforts. In this regard, the Ministry again urges the two members not to use ASEAN platforms to make such comments and encourages to condemn the terrorist acts.