Kuala Lumpur: ASEAN foreign ministers have expressed confidence in finding a solution to the Myanmar problem, as revealed by Mr. Maris Sengiampong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mr. Maris also expressed gratitude to Thailand for its role in supporting Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair and its efforts in engaging with various parties to address the Myanmar issue.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Maris disclosed that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting commended and thanked Thailand for its support in providing humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following an earthquake. Thailand's proposal for establishing a mechanism to coordinate humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, involving Myanmar authorities, ASEAN, and international organizations, was also acknowledged. The AHA Centre is serving as the main coordination point to mobilize support for Myanmar's recovery and maintain dialogue between Myanmar and ASEAN. This initiative has led to positive developments, with many countries optimistic about future constructive negotiations and solutions.
Mr. Maris highlighted Thailand's efforts to facilitate discussions with Myanmar, including promoting dialogues between Myanmar and its neighboring countries since last year. ASEAN has reached a consensus that resolving the Myanmar issue requires open and constructive discussions with all parties to foster cooperation.
Thailand has spearheaded initiatives to transform differing opinions into collaborative efforts across sectors, initiating 3-party talks between Thailand, Myanmar, and India, as well as 4-party talks involving Thailand, Myanmar, China, and Laos. Recently, Thailand hosted 6-party talks with Myanmar and its neighboring countries for the first time last December, focusing on addressing border security, transnational crimes, and developing transportation routes to connect the region.
Additionally, Thailand has promoted water management under the Mekong Basin framework, aiming to engage various parties in addressing issues with significant impacts on the population. These efforts are seen as steps towards a constructive resolution to the Myanmar problem.
In the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mr. Maris reported extensive discussions on potential joint initiatives for sustainable development, including trade and investment. With the GCC's substantial capital resources, there are efforts to attract investment from the GCC into ASEAN. Discussions also covered the possibility of a free trade agreement between ASEAN and the GCC to boost trade volume, alongside proposals for cooperation in food and energy security. The GCC countries have expressed readiness to collaborate with ASEAN in developing alternative energy to ensure future energy security.