Jakarta, 3 August 2021 (TDI): On Monday, the ASEAN foreign ministers came together to finalize the envoy tasked with ending violence and promoting dialogue in the situation in Myanmar. Indonesia’s foreign minister Retno Marsudi urged Myanmar on Monday to approve the appointment of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy. It added, they had not made significant progress on implementing its five-point plan in Myanmar announced in April.
Designated by the bloc, Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof of Brunei said it was ready to take the position as a special envoy to Myanmar. The Ministers waited on approval from the military which Myanmar did not immediately decide. Causing a delay in issuing a post-conference joint communique that would have reflected the key development. The delay and inaction were called by Retno. “Does ASEAN no good?” she said.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing preferred former Thai ambassador to Myanmar Virasakdi Futrakul to be the special envoy of their country. However, this circumstance remains uncertain if Myanmar’s military leaders should allow envoys to move freely in the country and have full access to various parties.
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