Press Release on the visit of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar
(14-10-2021, Nay Pyi Taw)
Myanmar is committed to constructively cooperate in the implementation of five-point consensus agreed at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 24 April 2021. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the Statement on Myanmar’s Position on the five-point consensus on 26 April 2021.
The appointment of special envoy, as part of five-point consensus, was discussed during the 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held on 4 August 2021 and Myanmar accepted the appointment of H.E. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam as special envoy of the ASEAN Chair in order to demonstrate Myanmar’s constructive cooperation.
Furthermore, in implementation of the five-point consensus, Myanmar has been cooperating in receiving and distribution of the humanitarian assistance delivered through ASEAN to those in need in Myanmar. Since his appointment on 4 August 2021, Myanmar has been regularly communicating with special envoy.
On 2 October 2021, Myanmar received a letter from the special envoy, proposing his visit to Myanmar from 11 to 14 October 2021 along with a proposed list of names of individuals with whom he wishes to meet and other actions required from Myanmar for his visit.
In response to his proposed program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar conveyed the revised program to special envoy on 7 October 2021, indicating the program of activities Myanmar side can accommodate and facilitate. Special Envoy made the same proposal again on his note of 8 October 2021. Therefore, Myanmar consented to proposed meetings with some individuals and the revised program with additional arrangements was communicated to him on 9 October 2021. However, in his note of 11 October 2021, special envoy insisted on his initial proposal of meetings with some specific individuals. Therefore, the Ministry responded, in its letter of 11 October 2021, that Myanmar has already accommodated its best to the proposals of special envoy to enable his visit to Myanmar.
As the special envoy insisted on same requests on his note of 12 October 2021, Myanmar’s explanations on its exercise of maximum flexibilities in accommodating his visit was communicated on the same date.
On 12 October 2021, special envoy issued the press statement and he reiterated his commitment to visit Myanmar and to have access to all parties concerned. Myanmar has demonstrated flexibility in any possible ways and means to facilitate the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar.
As Myanmar has been prioritizing peace and tranquility in the country, some requests which go beyond the permission of existing laws will be difficult to be accommodated. In this respect, special envoy and international community need to show some understanding on such situation.
As Myanmar has made arrangements for special envoy to meet with Government officials including members from legally existing political parties, the special envoy should prioritize in his the very first trip to meet with these relevant parties and build trust and confidence between special envoy and the country concerned.
Therefore, Myanmar looks forward to the confirmation by the special envoy on his visit to Myanmar at an early date.
Myanmar welcomes the special envoy’s position that he will carry out in neutral and impartial manner in accordance with the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and based on ASEAN Spirit. Myanmar hopes that he will be able to avoid actions from anyone with the intention of putting politically, motivated actions and pressures on Myanmar.
