Time for ASEAN to work towards bringing peace back to Myanmar: Thailand, Vietnam
Both Thailand and Vietnam resolved to seek an ASEAN consensus on the ongoing Myanmar conflict at the 5th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-5), which was chaired by both nations on Friday.
Present at the event held in Bangkok were Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son.
Parnpree, who also holds the deputy prime minister’s portfolio, said both Thailand and Vietnam share the goal of seeking a peaceful and unified political situation in Myanmar.
“We both expressed concerns about the worsening conflict near the Thai-Myanmar border and agreed on the need for a joint ASEAN statement on the current [Myanmar] situation,” he said, adding that the ongoing conflict was an “urgent” matter.
He added that Vietnam was ready to support Thailand’s “humanitarian corridor” initiative in the border area, as it considers this as part of ASEAN’s “collective efforts” to ensure peace in the region.
Son said both parties have mutually agreed to back Laos in its capacity as ASEAN chair this year, as well as strengthen centrality and unity in tackling regional concerns, notably in relation to the situation in the South China Sea and Myanmar.
Neither minister elaborated on what ASEAN can or will do to ensure peace in Myanmar.
According to the latest reports from BBC Thai, anti-junta forces have claimed victory in Myawaddy, a Myanmar town across the border from Mae Sot in Tak province.
Three days ago, Myanmar sent a plane across to Mae Sot to reportedly pick up officials and their families who fled Myawaddy after the KNU (Karen National Union) Forces reportedly seized a battalion. The Thai government, however, denied accusations of supporting the junta, saying the aircraft had only landed to deliver “state documents”.
Also on Thursday, Thailand officially announced it was elevating its bilateral ties with Vietnam to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This is the first such partnership Vietnam has built with an ASEAN country.
“We agreed that as Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we must work together to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to not just our own countries, but also to the entire region,” Parnpree said.
Thailand and Vietnam also discussed measures to advance cooperation in other areas, including labour, transport, education, culture, tourism, science, technology, and innovation.
“I am fully confident that the excellent outcome of the JCBC-5 will play an important role in advancing, broadening, deepening and adding substance to the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand,” Son said.
