President of European Council H.E. Charles Michel said EU has supported the commitment made by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen on Myanmar’s crisis.
Speaking at a press conference of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, H.E. Charles Michel said EU discussed the crisis in Myanmar that negatively impacts stability in the region.
“We continue to support ASEAN’s efforts to address this crisis. We support the full implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and the personal investment of Prime Minister Hun Sen”, he said.
On the same day, H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in his capacity as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair (SE) briefed the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (PSC) on developments in Myanmar.
H.E. Prak Sokhonn shared the updates on Cambodia’s efforts, in particular the works of the SE, in helping Myanmar restore peace and return to democratic path. H.E. Prak Sokhonn reiterated the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 5PC that seeks to advance 3 main objectives: (1) cessation of violence and ceasefire, (2) delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need, and (3) an enabling environment for the commencement of a dialogue process between Myanmar’s concerned parties.
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister recalled the visit of Samdech Techo Prime Minister in his capacity as the ASEAN Chair to Nay Pyi Taw, and his numerous engagements with ASEAN counterparts and other world leaders, subsequently paving the way for the SE to fulfil the mandate as stipulated in the 5PC. The SE also informed the Meeting that he made two working visits to Myanmar to meet with senior representatives of the State Administration Council (SAC), 7 Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), 8 political parties, and other relevant stakeholders including the United Nations Specialised Agencies.
On cessation of violence, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that Cambodia has persistently called all the concerned parties, especially the SAC, to exercise utmost restraint, avoid disproportionate responses, and cease attacks against civilians. While condemning violence in the strongest terms, the Special Envoy also urged Myanmar’s armed groups to commence ceasefire negotiations without delay.
The SE noted that the commencement of a dialogue process is the most difficult task given that differences between Myanmar’s concerned parties are oceans apart. However, he shared that during the second working visit, he managed to slightly open the door for a dialogue process, and he expressed his hope that conflicting parties will take advantage of this positive development to work towards an inclusive dialogue process. Moreover, he underscored the importance of trust and confidence building as an enabler for Myanmar’s concerned parties to reconcile their differences and engage with one another in good faith.
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister shared that Cambodia has made visible and concrete progress on humanitarian front through the convening of the Consultative Meeting in early May, leading to the adoption of two key frameworks including (1) ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Delivery Arrangement Framework, and (2) Joint Ministry of Health – Partners Vaccines Administration Framework. Moreover, the Special Envoy has managed to help address the operational challenges and facilitate the works of the AHA Centre and other international organizations. Importantly, Cambodia did not only bilaterally provide medical supplies and financial supports to Myanmar, but also mobilised through ASEAN process substantive humanitarian assistance including 3 million doses of vaccines.
Cognisant of the situation in Myanmar that remains critical, dangerous, and unstable, the leaders adopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus at the 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, comprising of 15 points that aim to chart the future direction of ASEAN’s collective efforts to help Myanmar. H.E. Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised that this 15-point document is not to substitute the 5PC, but to complement and facilitate its expeditious implementation, he said.
The SE underlined that the mass release of nearly 6,000 prisoners including senior NLD leaders, prominent opposition activists, journalists and nationals of Australia, Britain, Japan, and the United States, is a positive gesture in the right direction to create an environment conducive for the commencement of a dialogue process among Myanmar’s concerned parties.
H.E. Prak Sokhonn also expressed his hope that more releases will happen in the future in order to give peace and national reconciliation a chance.
The EU commended Cambodia’s efforts and the works of the Special Envoy in advancing the 5PC and reiterated their strong commitments to support ASEAN’s Centrality and its leading role in helping Myanmar return to democratic path the earliest possible. Cambodia as the ASEAN Chair expressed gratitude to the EU for the generous contributions to ASEAN in this important endeavor, especially in the area of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press