The foreign Ministers from ten ASEAN countries said they are ready to assist Myanmar humanitarian and development aids at the meeting which Myanmar hosted at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon on December 19.
The aim of the meeting was to inform fellow members of the ASEAN of Myanmar’s ensuring peace, security and development in the Rakhine state and to strength ASEAN unity and solidarity. Current chair of ASEAN as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saleumxay Kommasith was chairman of the meeting. During the meeting, Aung San Su Kyi, State Counselor and Minister for Foreign Affairs briefed on recent developments in northern Rakhine state following the coordinated armed attacks against three border police outposts at the beginning of October. She mentioned Government’s efforts to address the issue, including the provision of humanitarian assistance in northern Rakhine state in cooperation with the UN agencies. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN unity and resolving the differences among ASEAN family members through peaceful and friendly consultations. The foreign ministers who attended the event in Yangon said the meeting had been productive.
We had a very transparent and honest exchange of views during the meeting,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters. She added “Myanmar will update ASEAN member countries regularly. So we are waiting to help Myanmar in again restoring the peace and stability in Rakhine state.” Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan mentioned meeting attendees had discussed how ASEAN could best assist Myanmar in seeking long-term solution for the benefit of all the affected communities in Rakhine State. Thailand’s foreign minister Don Pramudwinai said “everybody was satisfied’ and his simple aim of attending meeting was want to hear form Aung San Su Kyi as how the government is handling the Rakhine issue.
