The following are the outcomes of the second visit H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, from June 30 to July 2:
On 30 June-02 July 2022, H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, conducted his second working visit to Myanmar in his capacity as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. He was accompanied by H.E. Ekkaphab PHANTHAVONG, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), who represented H.E. Dato LIM Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN; members of the Office of Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair; and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).
The working visit aimed to move forward the progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), notably on the expediting of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and joint vaccination program, which were endorsed at the Consultative Meeting on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar on 06 May 2022 in Phnom Penh, and the engendering of a conducive environment for an inclusive political dialogue.
Starting off the visit, on 30 June 2022, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister attended the handover ceremony of Chinese government’s contribution of two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN for Myanmar, which was presented by His Excellency CHEN Hai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar in Yangon.
Later on, in the afternoon, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), in Nay Pyi Taw. With the ASEAN Leaders’ Five Point Consensus as an overarching guide, both sides exchanged views on situational updates and challenges in implementing this key document, and also followed up on the three previous meetings between Samdech Techo Prime Minister HUN Sen and the Senior General, as well as the outcomes of the Consultative Meeting on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar. The Senior General shared with H.E. Deputy Prime Minister the current security situation, including violence, brutality, and intimidation against civilians. The Senior General informed of the improvement of security for the people and his willingness to engage directly in the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). He also reassured the Special Envoy of his full support to the fulfilling of the latter’s mandate. The Special Envoy also took the opportunity to urge the SAC to explore ways to work with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, so that we can further enhance synergy between our works within the framework of cooperation between ASEAN and the UN.
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister also met his counterpart Foreign Minister H.E. U Wunna Maung Lwin to discuss ASEAN-related matters. H.E. Deputy Prime Minister recalled the recent two communications on death sentence and the request to return Daw Aung San Suu Kyi into house detention. In the same tone of consistency, the Special Envoy reiterated his call for the cessation of violence, and requested the SAC to support a safe, timely and impartial delivery of humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach areas, the release of prisoners, and for meetings with several non-SAC individuals, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Daw Su Su Lwin. He was informed that due to health condition, Daw Su Su Lwin was unable to meet the Special Envoy while the case of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains under judicial procedure.
H.E. PRAK Sokhonn also met the Myanmar Task Force on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance, headed by H.E.U Ko Ko Hlaing. Expediting the delivery of humanitarian assistance in a safe, timely and impartial manner was the key topic for discussion. The Meeting also deliberated on how the UN Specialized Agencies and international non-government organizations can engage in Myanmar-led humanitarian works, including the Joint Need Assessment in the hard-to-reach areas. The request was raised to the Myanmar Task Force in facilitating and simplifying procedures while Myanmar side called for more cooperation with local authorities and avoid political distancing from the side of international organizations and partners. The Special Envoy conveyed the willingness of Samdech Techo Prime Minister to dispatch Cambodia’s voluntary health personnel to help administer vaccines in those areas, which was strongly welcomed by the Myanmar Task Force.
On 01 July 2022, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister had a meeting with H.E. Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, Chairman of National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC). The meeting focused on various agendas, including approaches to further engage with Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and the role of the Committee in humanitarian assistance operation and vaccination campaign to the people of Myanmar. H.E. Lieutenant General Yar Pyae expressed his willingness to cooperate with and welcome the participation of all parties concerned in Myanmar to become the signatories of the existing NCA. The Special Envoy shared with the Committee Cambodia’s experiences in succesffully implementing the Win-Win policy of Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen, which has brought about peace and stability, and unity of the national army.
H.E. PRAK Sokhonn and accompanying delegates, then, held talks with the representatives of seven EAOs, who have signed the NCA with the SAC. The main topic of dicussion, among others, was on the challenges to end this decades-long conflict and how to advance peace talks for the benefit of all people in the country. The Special Envoy, once again, emphasized on how Cambodia brought about today’s peace, stability and development through the Win-Win Policy, initiated by Samdech Techno Prime Minister. Calling Cambodia as a friend in need, the EAOs commended Cambodia’s experience on national reconciliation and Win-Win Policy and appreciated the good office of the Special Envoy to help bring Myanmar back to normalcy.
On the last day of the visit, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister met with representatives of seven political parties in Myanmar, who won seats at the 2020 election. The political parties briefed the Special Envoy on the developments of political and humanitarian situation on the ground in each state and region. They all shared great concern on the severe impacts of violence on civilians, including the burning of villages, without clear responsible organizations. They also shared common desire for peace and non-violence, and some political parties also informed of how they have helped support the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) coming from other regions. They called for early delivery of humanitarian assitance to their respective regions. The Special Envoy updated the Meeting on the progress of the the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and the follow-up to agreement reached at the Consultative Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar, and expressed his commitment to help expedite the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to create conducive environment for political dialogue to start.
Before concluding his mission, the Special Envoy held a fruitful discussion with H.E. Christian Lechervy, Ambassador of the French Republic; H.E. Thomas L. Vajda, Ambassador of the United States of America; H.E. Ranieri Sabatucci, Ambassador of the European Union; and Mrs. Angela Corcoran, Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian Embassy. They exchanged views on the progress of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and their assessments on political, economic and social situation in Myanmar and have commended the role played by Cambodia in humanitarian aspect, especially the recent two communications on death sentence and request for transfer of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi back to house detension.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press
