RI delegation prepares for Myanmar talks in Bangkok – Asia and the Pacific

The meeting, initiated by current ASEAN Chairman Laos, will include at least seven members of the group and three other external countries interested in resolving the Myanmar crisis, particularly through the implementation of the Five Point Consensus (5PC) for peace, Ministry spokesman Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat said.

“This meeting is crucial for Indonesia to underline the urgency of the Myanmar crisis and the implementation of the 5PC through a Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned solution where all stakeholders can work together and deliver results,” Roy said at a on Monday Press conference.

“The agenda is not so rigid so far, every representative present will have time to present their views,” he added.

The crisis in Myanmar, which first erupted in 2021 when Naypyidaw’s democratically elected government was overthrown in a military coup, has tested ASEAN’s ability to resolve problems in recent years.

ASEAN has since initiated hundreds of peace dialogues with various stakeholders in Myanmar, insisting that it will neither intervene directly nor expel Naypyidaw from the group. However, her 5PC initiative has struggled to gain traction in Myanmar as her calls for an immediate end to violence, all-party dialogue, the appointment of a special envoy and humanitarian aid were largely ignored by the military junta.

Against this backdrop, ASEAN formed a troika of the current Chair, the previous Chair and the incoming Chair late last year to advance a peaceful solution in Myanmar. It was later expanded to include “Troika Plus” countries: ASEAN members interested in participating in resolving the conflict despite not being part of the Troika agreement.