Building ASEAN Media Bridge through National Press Festival 2026
	Vietnam Is “Key” to Maintaining Balance of the ASEAN Region

ASEAN foreign ministers meet with Myanmar representatives in Bangkok. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The ASEAN informal meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Myanmar's Foreign Minister was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 12 under the chairmanship of Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, representing the Philippines as ASEAN Chair for 2026. Vietnam's delegation was led by Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

The meeting marked the first in-person gathering attended by a large number of foreign ministers from the regional bloc together with Myanmar's foreign minister, as well as the highest-level engagement between the organization and Myanmar's authorities since 2021. It followed the directive of leaders at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, to continue discussions on measures enabling the regional bloc to maintain engagement with and support for Myanmar in line with the Five-Point Consensus.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe briefed participants on recent developments in the country, including the implementation of a 100-day action plan and measures aimed at promoting peace, national reconciliation and stability, maintaining engagement with relevant stakeholders, and improving the domestic situation in Myanmar.

Foreign Ministers exchanged views on developments in Myanmar and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation through the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, the peace framework adopted in April 2021 to help Myanmar address its ongoing crisis and gradually restore stability. The framework focuses on ending violence, promoting dialogue among all parties concerned, strengthening the mediation role of the ASEAN Special Envoy, expanding humanitarian assistance, and facilitating the Special Envoy's engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Le Hoai Trung reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent position that Myanmar remains an integral member of ASEAN and that the Five-Point Consensus continues to serve as the key framework guiding the regional bloc's engagement with and support for Myanmar in overcoming its current challenges.

The minister acknowledged measures undertaken by Myanmar's authorities to stabilize the political situation, revive the economy, improve governance, strengthen efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking and cybercrime, and enhance border management. He also expressed hope that initiatives promoting peace, national reconciliation, security, public safety and improved living conditions for the people of Myanmar would continue to advance.

Minister Le Hoai Trung stressed that, alongside the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, ASEAN should pursue more concrete and practical measures, prioritizing direct and regular engagement with Myanmar in order to remain informed of developments, strengthen mutual understanding and achieve tangible outcomes.

He further affirmed Vietnam's readiness to work closely with the 2026 ASEAN Chair and other member states to support Myanmar's economic recovery, address social challenges, strengthen cooperation against transnational crime, and promote bilateral and sub-regional cooperation, thereby contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in Myanmar and across the ASEAN Community.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Le Hoai Trung held bilateral talks with Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe and Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, contributing to closer coordination between Vietnam and its regional partners.

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