Philippines says Myanmar's full return to ASEAN is still far off

Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said Thursday that Myanmar's return to full participation in ASEAN meetings remains distant ^[1].

The statement underscores the ongoing diplomatic deadlock between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Myanmar military government. Because the bloc requires adherence to specific peace benchmarks, the lack of progress threatens the unity and effectiveness of the regional organization.

Lazaro said during an ASEAN meeting regarding the current status of the member state ^[1]. She said that the organization remains focused on the Five-Point Consensus, a framework designed to end violence and facilitate dialogue within Myanmar ^[1].

According to Lazaro, Myanmar has not yet complied with the terms of the consensus, which is why its full reintegration is not currently feasible ^[1]. The Philippines, serving as the current ASEAN chair, is managing the bloc's response to the crisis as it seeks a sustainable resolution to the internal conflict in Myanmar ^[2].

As part of the strategy to address the stalemate, Lazaro said that ASEAN is considering the appointment of a longer-term special envoy ^[1]. This move would potentially provide more continuity in diplomatic efforts compared to shorter-term appointments, a shift that may signal a more patient, long-term approach to the crisis ^[1].

The discussions occurred amid broader meetings involving China, Japan, and South Korea, where leaders called on the bloc to tackle shared global challenges ^[2]. Despite these wider partnerships, the specific issue of Myanmar's governance remains a primary point of contention for the Southeast Asian members ^[2].