Naypyidaw:Bangkok ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Maria Theresa Lazaro, is scheduled to visit Naypyidaw, Myanmar, from October 28 to 29. The visit aims to assess the progress of efforts made by Myanmar to address its ongoing political crisis ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the upcoming visit was confirmed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a joint press conference. The conference followed their co-chairing of the 16th Meeting of the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and the 7th Meeting of the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas in Bangkok.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro is expected to update the ASEAN Troika on her findings, in preparation for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila next month. The Troika includes the current, previous, and incoming ASEAN Chairs, playing a crucial role in ensuring continuity and coordinating efforts regarding the situation in Myanmar.

Minister Mohamad emphasized the importance of this visit, noting Lazaro's responsibility to provide a comprehensive report to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers. In agreement, Minister Sihasak expressed optimism for positive developments stemming from the visit, hopeful for substantial progress to be reported at the upcoming ASEAN meetings.

This visit marks Lazaro's second trip to Myanmar since taking on the role, as ASEAN continues to press Naypyidaw to resolve the political crisis and implement the bloc's Five-Point Consensus.