• Politics

Myanmar Talks Offer Chance of Progress: Cambodia

• By Phoung Vantha
• December 23, 2022 12:41 PM

PHNOM PENH– Informal talks by senior ASEAN officials on the Myanmar crisis have provided a good chance for open, frank and meaningful discussions, Cambodia's Foreign Ministry says.

The talks in Bangkok on Dec. 22 were not held under the auspices of ASEAN.

The ministry said the meeting received updates from Myanmar on its efforts to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on the crisis.

"Importantly, they also exchanged views on practical approaches that could expedite implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, including an exit strategy that could help return normalcy and peace to Myanmar as soon as possible," it said.

The meeting was in line with ASEAN leaders' views about the importance of exploring other approaches that could support ASEAN's efforts to help Myanmar bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn joined the meeting, attended also by the foreign ministers of Lao and Myanmar along with the deputy foreign minister of Vietnam.

Myanmar, which has been excluded at government level from ASEAN meetings, also sent ministers responsible for international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

An information paper issued by the Thai hosts after the meeting said the consultation was the first time in more than a year that foreign ministers had a face-to-face discussion with the sole purpose of providing a diplomatic space for candid and constructive discussions and pragmatic engagement, particularly for neighbouring countries most affected by the situation.

"The open-ended informal consultation was meaningful with ministers engaging in free-flow and proactive discussions," the paper said.

"This included the opportunity to hear from Myanmar and to exchange views on finding the exit strategy and pathways towards a return to normalcy."

There had been focus on humanitarian aid and exploring approches to support ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

It said Thailand appreciated the role of Cambodia as ASEAN Chair and Prak Sokhonn as Special Envoy for trying to work out a solution.