Kuala Lumpur: ASEAN foreign ministers have expressed confidence in their ability to find a solution to the ongoing Myanmar crisis, attributing support from Thailand as a significant factor in advancing discussions.
According to Thai News Agency, the ministers gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the 46th ASEAN Summit, where they acknowledged Thailand's role in backing Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair and its efforts in coordinating humanitarian assistance to Myanmar. This coordination involves the Myanmar authorities, ASEAN, and international organizations, with the AHA Centre acting as the primary coordination hub.
Mr. Maris Sengiampong, Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the positive developments achieved through ASEAN's leadership in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. He noted that Thailand's initiatives, particularly in fostering dialogue between Myanmar and its neighboring countries, have been recognized by ASEAN. The foreign ministers agreed that an open and constructive dialogue involving all relevant parties is essential for resolving Myanmar's challenges.
Thailand has been actively working to transform differing opinions into cooperative activities, proposing multi-party talks involving Myanmar and its neighbors. These include the 3-party talks with India and the 4-party discussions with China and Laos. Last December, Thailand hosted the 6-party talks focusing on border security, transnational crimes, and regional connectivity. Additionally, water management initiatives under the Mekong Basin framework are part of Thailand's efforts to address significant regional concerns.
During meetings between ASEAN foreign ministers and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), discussions centered on sustainable development opportunities, particularly in trade and investment. The GCC countries, known for their capital potential, are being encouraged to invest in ASEAN. Talks also covered prospects for a free trade agreement to boost trade volumes and cooperation in food and energy security. The GCC has expressed readiness to collaborate with ASEAN in developing alternative energy solutions for future energy security.