ASEAN heads seek ‘specific timeline’ to implement Myanmar’s peace plan

Leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for an “implementation plan” with specific timeline of the Five-Pont Consensus to address the peace situation in Myanmar.

After a review, the region’s heads currently gathered for the 41st ASEAN Summit Retreat in Cambodia, decided that the Five-Point Consensus shall remain the valid reference “and should be implemented in its entirety.”

“There is a need for an implementation plan that outlines concrete, practical and measurable indicators with specific timeline to support the Five-Point Consensus and, therefore, shall be developed,” the leaders said.

They urged all parties concerned to adhere to and implement the consensus “with the sole objective of restoring peace and stability” in Myanmar.

“Whilst maintaining Myanmar’s non-political representation to the ASEAN Summits and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, we tasked the ASEAN Coordinating Council to further review Myanmar’s representation at ASEAN meetings, if the situation so requires,” the leaders added.

The Southeast Asian heads also urged parties concerned to “de-escalate tensions and exercise utmost restraints and all parties concerned that bear arms should be fairly held accountable and condemned for violence, noting that the Myanmar Armed Force is the single largest military forces in Myanmar.”

Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. called for the speedy implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to address the peace situation and crisis in Myanmar.

Marcos made the call in his intervention speech during the Summit. He urged his fellow ASEAN leaders to heed the call for the welfare and protection of the people of Myanmar.

ASEAN leaders said they will also seek help from the United Nations and external partners for the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.

The five-point plan has called for an immediate end to violence and dialogue between the military and the anti-coup movement in Myanmar.

A special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in October to discuss the issue of Myanmar. Various foreign ministers "put forth a list of recommendations to push forward the implementation of the five-point consensus."—LDF, GMA News