Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (centre) speaking during the East Asia Summit as part of the 40th and 41st Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) Summits in Phnom Penh on November 13, 2022. - AFP
BANGKOK, Nov 13 (Bernama): Myanmar has categorically rejects and dissociates itself from the said-review on the Five Point Consensus (5PC) and the decision made by the nine Asean leaders at the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar also said Myanmar strongly objected and condemned the attempts by ASEAN to engage with "unlawful and terrorist organisations” in the country through any means and forms.
"Such calls for engagements with the said unlawful and terrorist organisations could encourage terrorist activities while violating the Article 2 of the ASEAN Charter as well as the Asean and International Conventions on counter terrorisms,” it said.
Furthermore, it said the review and decision on the implementation of the 5PC did not factually reflect the on-ground situation and did not include any constructive efforts made by Myanmar government in the implementation of the 5PC.
"Myanmar is disappointed that Asean ignores the notable progress made in the implementation of the 5PC,” it said adding that Myanmar has been constructively cooperating with the Special Envoy of the Asean Chair in implementing the 5PC.
Since implementing the 5PC is an ongoing process, the statement said additional pressure by setting a time frame will create more negative implications.
Some expressions in the document amount to interference of the internal affairs of the one member state, and were contrary to the basic principles and provisions in the Asean Charter. Therefore, Myanmar categorically rejects and dissociates itself from the said-review and decision made,” the statement said.
The Ministry reaffirmed that Myanmar will continue to adhere to the Article 20 of the Asean Charter on decision making by "consultation and consensus” by all ten Asean member states and will object any discussions or decisions without the involvement the country.
Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was not invited to attend the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh and instead a non-political representative from Myanmar was invited to attend the meetings.
Myanmar said such action of unequal representation contradicted Article 5 of the Asean Charter on "Rights and Obligations”.
"Since Myanmar fully adhered to the basic principles and provision enshrined in the Asean Charter while actively participating in Asean as a responsible member state, Myanmar did not accept the invitation which discriminates the level of representation among the member states,” it said.
In a statement issued after the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Asean leaders stated that (5PC) shall remain as a valid reference in finding a solution for Myanmar and should be implemented in its entirety.
In their review, Asean leaders also noted of the insignificant progress in implementing the 5PC by the junta in bid to restore peace and stability in Myanmar and the need for an implementation plan to outline concrete, practical and measurable indicators with specific timeline to support the 5PC.
Since the junta deposed a civilian government led by Aung San Su Kyi in a coup on 1 Feb 2021, Myanmar has witnessed turmoil with clashes between civilians and armed forces recurring almost regularly, taking a heavy toll on civilians. - Bernama
