MANILA: Two proposals aimed at strengthening Asean's response to the Myanmar crisis remain under deliberation by the regional bloc's senior officials, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said the proposals, which concern the terms of reference for Asean's proposed special envoy on Myanmar and measures to assess progress in the country, were being discussed in line with the mandate given by Asean leaders at the 48th Asean Summit in May.
Mohamad said Malaysia continued to emphasise the need for clear objectives and measurable progress in implementing Asean's Five-Point Consensus (5PC), which remains the regional bloc's main reference in addressing the Myanmar crisis.
"The crisis in Myanmar remains one of the most pressing challenges to Asean's unity and credibility.
“The Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains Asean's main reference on Myanmar.
"We continue to emphasise the need for clear objectives and measurable progress, particularly in the implementation of the 5PC," he said.
Mohamad said this in his speech at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) here on Saturday (Nov 14).
The two documents under deliberation are the Non-Paper on the Terms of Reference of the Proposed Special Envoy of Asean on Myanmar and the Non-Paper on Asean Elements to Assess Progress in Myanmar.
The proposals form part of Asean's ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the 5PC, which was adopted in April 2021 to address the crisis following the military takeover in Myanmar.
The consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar to meet relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, on Asean-Türkiye relations, Mohamad said the regional bloc's immediate priority was the timely conclusion of a comprehensive and forward-looking Plan of Action (POA).
He said the plan should deliver tangible outcomes in areas of mutual interest, including trade facilitation, supply chain resilience and defence industry cooperation.
"On Asean-Türkiye relations, our immediate priority is the timely conclusion of a comprehensive and forward-looking Plan of Action.
"We must ensure the new POA delivers tangible outcomes, in areas of mutual interests, such as trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, and defence industry cooperation," he said.
