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The exiled civilian government of Myanmar held a meeting with the president of the Regional Bloc Asean for the first time, in the midst of international pressure on the commitment of the block with the military regime of the country torn by the war.
The virtual talks between the national government delegates of unity, or Nug, and Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian Prime Minister who also serves as president of the block, focused on the aggravated humanitarian crisis of Myanmar, aggravated by the in progress civil conflicts as well as on a recent devastating pancake, depending on the track.
“What we have said permanently is that we want the ASEAN to recognize, accept, accept and understand the reality of Myanmar. We believe that it is a start,” the prime minister’s office spokesman for Nug.
“We hope that more than that, the people of Myanmar will be better understood and from this, we will probably be able to create a good situation.”
Ibrahim has also expressed opinions full of hope, calling for “constructive” conversation.
“The construction of confidence remains essential, and it is essential that this continues to be an effort led by ASEAN,” he said on his social media account X. “We will continue to engage all parties to support the peace, reconciliation and well-being of the inhabitants of Myanmar.”
Ibrahim’s decision is largely considered an effort to balance or mitigate criticism following a separate meeting in person in Bangkok between him and the main chief of Junta, General Aung Hlaing, who was also assisted by former Prime Minister Thailand Shinawatra.
The leaders discussed the help of the Anase following the earthquake last month which killed more than 3,700 people in Myanmar, the state diffuser of the country MRTV reported.
The ASEAN played a frequent role, although largely ineffective, trying to resolve the deepening of the Civil War of Myanmar since the junta seized the power during a coup in 2021.
In the aftermath of the coup, the Anase presented the consensus in five points – a peace framework calling for an immediate end to violence, the performance of humanitarian aid, the release of political prisoners and an inclusive dialogue involving all the parties.
However, the Myanmar junta has always challenged these conditions while remaining a member of the block. Consequently, the Anase has prohibited the political representatives of the junta of its high -level peaks, but prevented more energetic measures.
Critics say that the principle of non-interference of the block made it powerless to hold the responsible junta, allowing the regime to extend the conflict without consequences. Human rights groups and defenders of democracy also accused the Anase of legitimizing the military by continuing to engage with it diplomatically.
Several ceases-including the brokers in China-have collapsed several times, because the fighting between the military and the dozens of ethnic rebel groups and the pro-democracy forces continue to rage across the country.
‘Not in advance’
For Myanmar opposition groups, the meeting marks a rare and significant step forward, said Chinese analyst Hla Kyaw Zaw.
“For Anase, this is the first time that he officially has been engaged in revolutionary forces,” she said. “Strangely, General Senior Min Aung Hlaing accepted this time that the president of the Anase met Nug.”
His remarks refer to the Ibrahim declaration that the junta did not oppose when he informed them of her plan to speak with representatives of the NUG – a change of tone, given the previous position of the junta.
Since the 2021 coup, the military regime has described the Nug and its allies as “terrorists” and has always opposed any international recognition or engagement with them.
Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Tajun Kang.