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Press Release (16-10-2021)

(16-10-2021, Nay Pyi Taw)

The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin participated in the Emergency ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held via video conference on 15-10-2021. At the meeting, H.E. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, the special envoy of the ASEAN Chair briefed about the coordination processes done with the Government of Myanmar for his visit to Myanmar.

In response to the briefing by the special envoy, the Union Minister explained that Myanmar had closely cooperated and coordinated with the special envoy to materialize his very first trip to Myanmar. While considering the rule of law and internal stability, Myanmar has also extended its full facilitation for the success of his visit and for productive outcomes. While encouraging the special envoy to build trust and confidence with Myanmar during his first visit, the Union Minister reiterated the continued cooperation with the Special Envoy.

At the meeting, some ASEAN Member States discussed on the matter of Myanmar’s representation and the level of representation at the upcoming ASEAN Summit and related Summits.

In response, the Union Minister reminded that such discussions were not necessary as there is no provision in ASEAN Charter and its principles on such matter. The Union Minister stated that the legality and constitutionality of the Government of Myanmar should not be questioned as the Government has been undertaking state responsibilities in accordance with the State Constitution. Linking the matter of Myanmar’s representation at the ASEAN Summit with the visit of the Special Envoy would be counterproductive as it is merely putting pressure on Myanmar. The Union Minister also put on the record of the meeting that Myanmar objected the decision made by ASEAN without reaching the consensus.

Myanmar is extremely disappointed and strongly objected the outcomes of the Emergency Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as the discussions and decision on Myanmar’s representation issue was done without consensus and was against the objectives of the ASEAN, the ASEAN Charter and its principles.

At the juncture of emerging strategic competition in the region, ignoring the ASEAN’s good traditions of fostering Unity in Diversity and resolving differences through consultations and consensus would greatly affect the unity and centrality of the ASEAN.

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.

Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin delivers a Statement via video link at the Commemorative High-Level Meeting on the occasion of marking the 60th Anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

(12-10-2021, Nay Pyi Taw)

The Commemorative High-Level Meeting on the occasion of marking the 60th Anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was held from 11 to 12 October 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin delivered a statement via video link at the meeting.

In his statement, the Union Minister mentioned that Myanmar is always proud to be one of the founding members of the NAM and a co-sponsor of the Bandung Conference. He underscored that the present Government of Myanmar laid down and has been implementing a five-point roadmap to bring the country back to normalcy and its path to democracy.

In addition, the Union Minister explained that the Government is making all-out efforts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic and has set up a country-wide vaccination plan to achieve 50% coverage of vaccination at the end of this year. He also stated that Myanmar is ready to cooperate with all friendly countries in its efforts on prevention, control and treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Union Minister emphasized that being a consolidated entity, the Movement must continue pursuing its fundamental principles of mutual understanding and respect, impartiality and non-politicization. He also highlighted that Myanmar will work in unity with the members of the Movement to defend the common interests in tackling complex and common challenges and Myanmar is also looking forward to seeking continuous support, mutual understanding and constructive cooperation from the NAM member states in its efforts to bring peace, democracy and development to the country.

H.E. U Thurain Thant Zin, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Myanmar to Serbia, attended the meeting as the representative of the Government of Myanmar.

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