Asean weighs benchmarks, longer-term envoy to revive stalled Myanmar peace plan

The proposals will be refined by senior officials before going to Asean leaders at their November summit. - Reuters

MANILA: Asean foreign ministers agreed on July 21 to develop benchmarks for measuring progress in Myanmar and began discussing appointing a longer-term special envoy, as the regional grouping sought to strengthen implementation of its long-stalled Five-Point Consensus peace plan.

The proposals, discussed during an extended informal consultation on Myanmar on the sidelines of the 59th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, will now be refined by senior officials before going to Asean leaders at their November summit, said Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.