ASEAN ministers demand 'concrete actions' to end Myanmar violence
22:53, 12/07/2026, SundayU: Update: 23:14, 12/07/2026, Sunday
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File photoTop diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations called for concrete steps to reduce violence in Myanmar during their first meeting with the country's military-appointed foreign minister since the 2021 coup, as Manila warned that ending hostilities would require incremental progress.
Top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Sunday called for "concrete actions" to reduce violence in Myanmar during their first meeting with Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe since the military overthrew the National League for Democracy government in February 2021. Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, whose country currently chairs the 11-member bloc, described the gathering in Thailand's capital as "just an initial step" toward stabilizing the conflict-ridden nation.
Calls for ceasefire and civilian protection
Speaking to reporters alongside Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Lazaro stated that ASEAN foreign ministers demanded "concrete actions towards cessation of hostilities especially against civilians and civilian infrastructure." Sihasak told the news conference that U Tin had briefed the bloc on the domestic peace process and efforts to suppress scam operations along the country's borders, while also outlining the military government's proposed way forward.
Myanmar challenges ASEAN peace roadmap
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, adopted five years ago to facilitate dialogue among all parties and ensure greater humanitarian access to Myanmar — a nation grappling with both protracted civil war and recent natural disasters including devastating earthquakes. "This is not going to (be) achieved overnight … But we want to see progress, step by step, incremental progress," Sihasak said, adding that Lazaro would soon undertake a humanitarian visit to the country on behalf of the bloc.
U Tin told his counterparts that Myanmar's parliament had passed an urgent motion on Thursday urging a comprehensive review of the consensus, saying the existing framework fails to account for changed circumstances on the ground. He said the lawmakers argued the agreement "is inconsistent with ASEAN's fundamental principles and does not reflect the current political realities in Myanmar," according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry in Naypyidaw.