The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Laos on Wednesday to address regional security and economic issues, with the worsening civil war in Myanmar as a key topic on the agenda.
Thailand has offered to host an “informal consultation” in December to explore ways to resolve the conflict, which has displaced millions of people.
“We want to see a political solution,” Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told reporters, adding, “Thailand is ready to coordinate with all other member states so that there is a joint ASEAN effort that can lead to peace in Myanmar.”
He noted that Thailand’s initiative would complement existing ASEAN peace efforts but might not immediately involve countries outside the region.
The proposal, raised at an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday, comes as the bloc faces increasing challenges in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.
In recent months, Thailand has indicated that Myanmar’s other influential neighbors, China and India, could also play a role in peace efforts.
Nikorndej added that it would be up to ASEAN chair Laos and other member states to decide whether to invite Myanmar’s ruling generals or their opponents to the informal talks.
The ongoing dispute over the South China Sea is also high on the agenda.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are among those attending the summit.
Opening the summit on Wednesday, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone acknowledged the challenges ASEAN faces, stating, “ASEAN has its own ways of overcoming them. Laos believes that ASEAN’s past achievements are due to our understanding of each other. We help and cooperate with each other in the ASEAN style and principles.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to visit Vietnam following the summit.
China looks forward to working with ASEAN and other regional countries “to build consensus, deepen mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, and give new impetus to peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and the world,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
