Latest news with #Myanmar-led
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thais part of Asean peace talk team
Thai officials will be part of an Asean delegation discussing peace with Myanmar's junta government in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, next month, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on Wednesday. Speaking after attending the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related events in Kuala Lumpur from July 8–11, Mr Maris confirmed Thailand's commitment to Asean's peace initiative. During an informal meeting focused on the Myanmar crisis on Wednesday, Asean foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for Asean's Five-Point Consensus as the framework for addressing the situation, he said. Mr Maris noted that Malaysia, this year's Asean chair, emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire with rebel forces around the country as a prerequisite for delivering humanitarian assistance. "Asean wants to see Myanmar become politically stable and safe for its people," he said. The meeting endorsed a plan for the foreign ministers of Malaysia, the Philippines (the incoming Asean chair), and Thailand to visit Nay Pyi Taw for talks with the Myanmar military authorities, he said. The goal, Mr Maris said, is to stress the importance of peacebuilding and inclusive humanitarian support. He also proposed that Asean's humanitarian mission, initiated after the earthquake in Myanmar in March, must be continued and expanded to ensure aid reaches all people in need. To achieve a sustainable resolution to the crisis, Mr Maris called for inclusive dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar. "As Myanmar's closest neighbour, Thailand is ready to facilitate dialogue among all sides and support a 'Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned' solution," he said. "There is no point in Asean telling Myanmar what to do without the participation of all those involved in the crisis."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Thailand pushes for lower US tariffs, urges ASEAN unity
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand remains optimistic that the latest US tariff rate of 36 per cent on its exports is not final, as the country has submitted a second proposal for reconsideration with ongoing discussions. Thailand's Department of Information Director-General and Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, said the government is pushing for a win-win solution. 'We hope the 36 per cent is not final... We certainly hope that we'll get a reduction in the tariff,' he told Bernama. The US recently announced new tariffs on several Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia (25 per cent), Indonesia (32 per cent), and Cambodia (36 per cent), while Laos and Myanmar face the highest rate at 40 per cent. Thailand is adopting a flexible approach in negotiations, including plans to increase US investments. 'We are being flexible on many fronts. We will invest more in the US. And of course, tariff reduction is on the cards,' Nikorndej said. Beyond trade, Thailand is urging stronger ASEAN cooperation to tackle transnational crime, particularly scam centres affecting victims globally. 'We no longer see it as just a threat to Thailand but as a threat to the sub-region and beyond,' he added. On Myanmar, Thailand supports Malaysia's ASEAN leadership in implementing the Five-Point Consensus for peace and reaffirmed its stance that any resolution must be Myanmar-led. Thailand's Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, is attending ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur, focusing on economic cooperation, sustainability, and regional security. – Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Working to boost trade within Asean
Call for Asean unity: Mohamad (second from left) speaking during the Plenary Session of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Asean foreign, trade and economy ministers will be consolidating their approach towards improving intra-Asean trade, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said they will partake in a forum to discuss and agree on an action plan to move forward, to be held before the 47th Asean Summit in October. 'This will ensure our objective to improve intra-Asean trade materialises. If there are trade barriers that we have to take apart, we will do that. 'We need to move effectively as the world has changed. The best way is through Asean,' he told reporters on the sidelines of 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting plenary session. Mohamad said the meeting also discussed Asean's relations with external parties. 'We need a more open Asean to ensure we do not depend too much on just one party. Asean must be seen as a bloc that is open and welcomes more partners when it comes to trade and more,' he said. In his opening remarks at the plenary session, Mohamad said with the world getting more fragmented, Asean must continue to forge its unity and centrality. The region, he said, must continue to leverage its governing power to promote dialogue, diplomacy and security to create space for cooperation. 'A meaningful dialogue and peaceful resolution are needed now more than ever. All over the world, we are witnessing the breakdown of humanity, moral and legal norms that once defined the global system. 'Multilateralism is under attack, unilateralism and nationalism are on the rise. In this fragmented world, Asean's unity and centrality is our capital,' he said. He said the external pressures on Asean's unity will grow and the call for its members to take sides will get louder. For this, he called on member states to stand firm amid the uncertainties and unprecedented global challenges. 'Asean must be the beacon of hope, be the voice of reason, and continue to be the platform for cooperation and progress. 'We must continue to champion the principles of justice, fairness, equality and humanity,' he added. Mohamad also said that despite Asean's efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar, there is no meaningful progress, pointing out that the delay in peace in the country will prolong the people's sufferings and threatened the region's security. 'Asean will continue to support the path towards a Myanmar-led peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country,' he added. Mohamad also highlighted the impending threats of climate change that have started taking a toll on the region. 'As we work towards a more inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented Asean community, the most urgent imperative is the need for us to address the existential hazards of climate change,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean must focus on unity, centrality in increasingly fragmented world, say Tok Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: As the world becomes more fragmented, Asean must continue to forge its unity and centrality, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said that the region must continue to leverage its governing power to promote dialogue, diplomacy, and security to create space for cooperation. 'Meaningful dialogue and peaceful resolution are needed now more than ever, all over the world, as we are witnessing the breakdown of humanity as well as the moral and legal norms that once defined the global system. 'Multilateralism is under attack; unilateralism and nationalism are on the rise. In this fragmented world, Asean's unity and centrality are our capital,' he said in his opening remarks at the Plenary Session of the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting here on Wednesday (July 9). Mohamad also said that the external pressures on Asean's unity will grow and the call for its members to take sides will get louder. For this, he called on the member states to stand firm amid the uncertainties and unprecedented strength of global challenges. 'Asean must be the beacon of hope, be the voice of reason, and continue to be the platform for cooperation and progress. 'We must continue to champion the principles of justice, fairness, equality, and humanity,' he added. Mohamad also said that despite Asean's efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar, there has yet to be meaningful progress happening on the ground. He added that the delay in peace in the country prolonged the sufferings of the people and threatened the region's security. He called on all stakeholders to commit to peace and the creation of a conducive environment, especially for the people in Myanmar. 'Asean will continue to support the path towards a Myanmar-led peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country,' he added. Mohamad also highlighted the impending threats of climate change that have started taking a toll on the region. 'As we work towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-oriented Asean community, the most urgent imperative is the need for us to address the existential hazards of climate change. "We have witnessed firsthand the effects of rising temperatures, natural disasters, and extreme weather events in our region and its peoples,' he said, adding that coordinated and urgent actions are important to make Asean adaptive and climate change-resilient.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Longer, broader Myanmar ceasefire sought
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have called for a sustained extension and nationwide expansion of the ceasefire in Myanmar as an initial step towards the cessation of violence in the country. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the call is aimed at creating a safe and conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid and establishing an inclusive national dialogue, consistent with the Five-Point Consensus. Asean also reiterated that the consensus remains the main reference to address Myanmar's political crisis and that it should be implemented in its entirety. 'This is to help the people achieve an inclusive and durable peaceful resolution that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led. 'We urge concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, exercise utmost restraint as well as ensure the protection and safety of all civilians,' they said. Asean leaders expressed appreciation of the three consecutive temporary ceasefires by authorities in Myanmar and other unilateral ceasefires by relevant stakeholders. The leaders urged all relevant parties to ensure the safe, timely, effective and transparent delivery of humanitarian assistance without discrimination, alongside continued support of relevant stakeholders in Myanmar and through cross-border efforts where necessary. Asean leaders further reaffirmed continued support for the work of the Asean Chair, including through the Special Envoy, in the full and effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
