Vietnam Pledges to Closely Cooperate with ASEAN, UN in Myanmar Issue

At the meeting. Photo: VNA

As a member of ASEAN and the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2023-2025, Vietnam will continue its close coordination with the 10-member grouping and the international community to help Myanmar overcome difficulties, promote dialogues, enhance understanding and narrow differences, VNA citied the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

Speaking at an informal meeting of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York on March 16, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang noted Vietnam’s concern over the situation in Myanmar which saw no improvements over the past two years, with a fragile economy and a severe humanitarian crisis which have greatly impacted women and children.

Given this, all relevant sides need to exercise maximum restraint, stop violence and kick-start meaningful, inclusive dialogues in order to reach peaceful, sustainable solutions that match Myanmar people’s will and interests, Giang said.

Vietnam appeals to all parties to fully and effectively implement the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar approved by ASEAN leaders, ensure the access to humanitarian and medical aid to all, observe the International Humanitarian Law, and particularly protect civilians, the ambassador said.

Regarding ASEAN’s role, he stressed that Vietnam lauds efforts by Indonesia – ASEAN Chair 2023 – and backs the close cooperation between ASEAN and the UN in accelerating the settlement of the Myanmar issue, including the collaboration between their special envoys, and between the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and UN agencies in humanitarian aid.

Vietnam calls on the international community to assist ASEAN’s efforts and promote dialogues and reconciliation on the basis of respect for Myanmar’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he continued.

Vietnam also calls for greater efforts in addressing the root causes of the refugee situation in Rakkhine state, and creating favourable conditions for people to return home safely and voluntarily, and reintegrate into the community, Giang said.

Previous, Ambassador Vu Ho, who is acting head of the ASEAN Senior Official Meetings (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, has affirmed Vietnam’s support for and readiness to realise the cooperation priorities for 2023 set by Chair Indonesia and ASEAN.

Ho made the remarks while attending the SOM and the 15th meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) on Timor-Leste’s application for ASEAN membership (ACCWG-TL) held in Jakarta on March 6.

The events, held by ASEAN Chair in 2023 Indonesia, aimed to prepare for the 42nd ASEAN Summit and the foreign ministers’ meetings in May.

They agreed to continue bringing into play ASEAN’s role in assisting Myanmar to seek a feasible and durable solution to the current crisis by implementing the Five-Point Consensus to end political instability in Myanmar.

Myanmar fell into an economic and political stalemate in early 2021 after the military arrested government leaders, regional and state governors and senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Indonesia is working with other ASEAN member countries to call on the Myanmar military junta to fully implement the 5PC. The consensus remains the only formal diplomatic process to resolve the crisis in Myanmar.