ASEAN envoy discusses civil war, aid with Myanmar minister

How It Developed

ASEAN envoy Ma. Teresa Lazaro met Myanmar's foreign minister to discuss civil war and aid access.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, the ASEAN envoy on Myanmar, met Myanmar counterpart Tin Maung Swe in Naypyitaw on Thursday.

Myanmar's army-backed government wants a normalization of ties with ASEAN, after its leadership was barred from summits in 2021 for failure to de-escalate conflict in the wake of a military coup.

State-run Global New Light of Myanmar said Lazaro discussed ways to restore Myanmar's original role and rights within ASEAN.

A statement from Lazaro's office made no mention of a discussion of restoring Myanmar's role.

Myanmar's government said in August there was no longer a need for an ASEAN special envoy.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, which led to a civil war that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million.

Tin Maung Swe said Myanmar was working to implement ASEAN's five-point peace plan, in line with its national interests and sovereignty, state media said.