Irrawaddy-July 14
Myanmar’s military regime has rejected the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s Five Point Consensus (5PC), insisting that the bloc restore the country’s “full and equal participation” and allow it to pursue its own path in line with domestic political realities, according to statements issued by the regime’s Foreign Ministry. Speaking at the informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok on Sunday, junta Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe said the Union Parliament had already adopted a motion on July 9 urging the government to review the consensus, reasoning it is inconsistent with ASEAN’s fundamental principles and does not reflect the current political realities in Myanmar. He told his ASEAN counterparts that being the democratically elected government, it has the responsibility to implement the decision of the Parliament, according to the ministry’s official statement. He added that Myanmar would continue to cooperate with ASEAN “to the possible extent” but stressed the need for “a constructive approach consistent with realities on the ground.” The ministry said it reiterated at the informal meeting that efforts for peace, stability and prosperity will continue through a Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned approach in line with the country’s real situation while protecting the interests and fundamental rights of the people. Myanmar’s military has ignored the agreement, prompting ASEAN to bar junta leaders from summits and restrict participation to non political representatives. In the parliamentary debate ahead of the Bangkok meeting, lawmakers argued that the consensus undermines Myanmar’s sovereignty and equality within ASEAN, and violates the bloc’s principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member countries. They claimed the agreement is no longer consistent with Myanmar’s “political reality,” pointing to the regime’s staged elections and installation of Min Aung Hlaing as president. Even before the December-January elections, the regime started claiming that coup leader Min Aung Hlaing had never agreed to the consensus, portraying it as an annex to a chair’s statement rather than a binding pact. By invoking the parliamentary motion, the regime is signaling it will not implement the consensus, instead pressing ASEAN to reinstate Myanmar’s full membership rights. Analysts note the move comes after China offered its full backing for the regime to reintegrate into international mechanisms and ASEAN, emboldening the junta to push harder for normalization. ASEAN foreign ministers however reiterated that the consensus remains the bloc’s roadmap for resolving Myanmar’s crisis. Read more at:
