ASEAN special envoy meets Myanmar junta chief

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy for Myanmar has met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and discussed the implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus plan, local media reported on Thursday.

ASEAN chair's special representative for Myanmar, Alounkeo Kittikhoun, arrived in Nay Pyi Taw and met the junta leader on Wednesday, according to the Eleven Myanmar news website.

The two sides discussed the current situation in Myanmar as violence continued in the northern region of the country.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing briefed the ASEAN envoy on the junta roadmap to implement the ASEAN plan and his administration’s efforts to bring peace and stability to the Southeast Asian nation. However, no detail was shared with the media about the roadmap and the junta plan.

The special envoy’s visit to Myanmar was part of the ASEAN Five-Point Peace Plan.

The plan adopted shortly after Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021 calls for cessation of violence, initiation of dialogue, appointment of ASEAN envoys, providing humanitarian assistance, and a visit by an ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar.

ASEAN is a political and economic union of 10 member states, including Myanmar, in Southeast Asia. It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, and sociocultural integration between its members in Asia-Pacific.

The military takeover triggered mass protests in Myanmar, with the junta's forces killing around 1,572 people in a crackdown on dissent, according to UK-based Burma Human Rights Network.

Besides, Myanmar is witnessing an armed conflict in its northern region bordering China, where at least three groups are fighting to take control of the region.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid