Myanmar provides insight into current situation at 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting

Myanmar attended the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting and explained the terrorist attacks happening in Myanmar and the measures aimed at autonomy, self-determination and arrangements of free and fair multiparty democratic elections, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador of Myanmar to Belgium U Soe Lin Han attended and participated in the meeting held at the SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre in Brussels, Belgium, on 2 February. Speaking at the meeting, the Myanmar ambassador expressed Myanmar’s gratitude for the EU’s Trade Special Tax Exemption Programme (GSP/EBA) and the country’s awareness of the labour rights of workers in Myanmar in line with the due diligence required under the GSP/EBA programme and actions taken by the government under the existing laws.
The causes of terrorist attacks in Myanmar include online fraud gangs and drug trade issues, so the three countries, Myanmar-China-Thailand, are coordinating to suppress and clear these problems effectively, he said. He said that efforts are being made politically to have the autonomy of ethnic groups and the right to self-determination before they are discussed in the parliament for enactment. He also explained the country’s continuous effort to hold a free, fair, multiparty democratic election.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Laos and the rotating chair of ASEAN, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, said he would commit to finding a long-term sustainable way based on Myanmar’s implementation process.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Mr Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, said Thailand believes that increasing humanitarian aids will improve the situation in Myanmar. He also urged the EU to have positive interactions with the community in Myanmar and international community in the process of providing humanitarian aid to the country.
In the meeting, Mr Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission-HR/VP, and the ASEAN and EU foreign ministers discussed the positions of their respective countries. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn also attended the meeting. — ASH/TH