Philippines hosts first Myanmar stakeholders meet; de-escalation discussed

MANILA: The Philippines has hosted a meeting among political and ethnic groups from Myanmar, the first under its chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported.

In a statement Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Myanmar Stakeholders' Meeting, held earlier this month in Tagaytay City, was organised by DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in her capacity as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.

The meeting gathered multiple groups from the Southeast Asian state, with participants exchanging views on how to advance de-escalation, facilitate humanitarian assistance, effectively address transnational crime and foster political dialogue among relevant stakeholders.

The meeting also recognised the important role of the Special Envoy in fostering "constructive dialogue among all parties concerned" and "facilitating mediation of the dialogue process" under the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC), the DFA said.

Lazaro said the meeting will form an integral part of the ASEAN Chair's strategy to engage the diverse Myanmar stakeholders, emphasising that "lasting peace can only be achieved through an inclusive process."

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. designated Lazaro as special envoy to help facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Myanmar crisis as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairship this year.

The DFA earlier said Lazaro would build on the gains of the Malaysian special envoy and focus on promoting constructive dialogue and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

-- BERNAMA