UNION Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe attended the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 12 July 2026.
At the meeting, the Union Minister briefed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the efforts being undertaken by the newly elected government to advance the country along the democratic path by promoting national stability, the rule of law, peace and national development. He also explained the Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate transnational crimes, which constitute major challenges to national peace and stability, including online scams, illicit drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
The Union Minister further briefed the meeting on Myanmar’s efforts to end conflicts and advance peace and national reconciliation, the effective distribution of humanitarian assistance provided through the AHA Centre without discrimination and the future course of action in this regard, cooperation with the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, as well as the realities on the ground and recent developments in Myanmar.
The Union Minister urged ASEAN Member States to better understand Myanmar’s complex political situation and to make constructive assessments based on the realities on the ground. He expressed the hope that Myanmar would soon regain its full and equal participation within ASEAN and reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to cooperate with ASEAN to the extent possible.
Following the briefing, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed their respective positions on Myanmar. While many Member States welcomed and supported the positive developments taking place in Myanmar, a few expressed that they wished to see more tangible progress. They discussed the importance of sustaining and further advancing the current positive developments in Myanmar, achieving further progress through continued engagement, making greater efforts to reduce conflicts mentioned in the ASEAN Five-Point Statement, enhancing dialogue, expanding the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and continuing engagement with a view to enabling Myanmar to resume its full and equal participation in ASEAN’s processes.
In response to the discussions, the Union Minister reaffirmed that, in accordance with the foreign policy enshrined in the 2008 Constitution and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Myanmar will continue to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries, friendly countries, ASEAN Member States, and the international community. He further stressed that Myanmar will continue its efforts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity through a Myanmar-owned, Myanmar-led process that reflects the realities on the ground while safeguarding the interests and fundamental rights of the Myanmar people.
On the sidelines of the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Union Minister U Tin Maung Swe met Mr Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, on 11 July 2026. He also held separate bilateral meetings with Ms Maria Theresa Parreno Lazaro, Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, and Mr Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, on 12 July 2026.
During these meetings, they exchanged views on strengthening of bilateral relations and closer cooperation, as well as on promoting constructive cooperation to facilitate Myanmar’s restoration to its full and equal participation in ASEAN.
Following his attendance at the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe will continue his official visit to Thailand from 13 to 14 July 2026 at the invitation of Mr Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. — MNA
