Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand on December 19 hosted the first separate meeting on Myanmar, which saw the participation of five of this Southeast Asian country’s neighbours - China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand.
Speaking to the media the same day, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said that during the meeting, Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister Than Swe informed the neighbouring countries of plans to hold elections next year, including the possibility of inviting foreign election observers.
Minister Sangiampongsa further mentioned that Than Swe outlined the political roadmap and election preparation progress, which included a population census and the registration of 53 political parties in Myanmar, as well as the intention to invite observers from neighbouring countries.
Spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nikorndej Balankura stated that the response from Myanmar's neighbours to the election plan was "generally positive," highlighting that all countries involved hoped for a swift resolution to Myanmar's political crisis.
While Myanmar's neighbours emphasised the need to continue cooperating with the junta government of Myanmar, Thai officials affirmed that ASEAN's "Five-Point Consensus" peace plan will remain central to regional efforts to end the conflict.
Regarding the Myanmar issue, Prime Minister of Malaysia which will take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, Anwar Ibrahim, previously confirmed his commitment to implementing ASEAN's peace plan and invited former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be his personal advisor. According to Thai media, Thaksin, a politically influential billionaire and father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, had previously sought to mediate in Myanmar's conflict./.
