Kuala Lumpur: Despite grappling with ongoing domestic challenges, Myanmar continues to play an active and constructive role within the ASEAN framework, particularly in driving the region's economic agenda forward, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Satvinder Singh said. Speaking at a recent engagement, he emphasized Myanmar's unwavering commitment to ASEAN's initiatives, noting that the country remains an essential and cooperative member of the bloc.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Satvinder Singh stated that Myanmar's internal turmoil in recent years has not hindered its contributions to ASEAN. He highlighted that Myanmar has consistently participated in ASEAN initiatives, hosted necessary meetings, and voted on key agreements, reinforcing its role as a committed member of the bloc. He praised the solidarity among ASEAN's economic leaders, including those from Myanmar, as a driving force for the ASEAN Economic Community's recent progress.
Satvinder Singh also noted that Myanmar's proactive stance on regional trade and development efforts deserves recognition, especially given the internal challenges that could have led to disengagement. He commended Myanmar for not only participating but also contributing meaningfully to ASEAN's goals. The 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which deposed the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi, further complicated the country's situation, resulting in the bloc barring its junta leaders from summits and ministerial meetings.
Despite this, Myanmar's senior officials have continued to attend preparatory meetings for ASEAN summits, including the 46th ASEAN Summit. ASEAN Foreign Ministers have agreed on the need to continue engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar to find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan mentioned that Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, plans to visit Myanmar to present a 'wishlist' from various stakeholders to the State Administration Council (SAC). ASEAN will also conduct internal consultations on a proposal for a permanent ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar.