YANGON: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on August 8 that it considers the appointment of a new Special Envoy of the Asean Chair and the continuation of the envoy’s role may no longer be necessary, as a government that emerged from a multiparty democratic election held in accordance with the people’s wishes is now assuming responsibility for governing the country.
The statement was issued in response to the Asean Chair’s statement concerning a meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resident representative.
According to the MOFA statement, Aung San Suu Kyi met with ICRC Resident Representative Arnaud de Baecque on August 3, 2026. The meeting was conducted in accordance with Myanmar’s existing laws and relevant procedures, as well as the standards and procedures of the ICRC.
The ministry noted that the Asean Chair issued a statement on August 7 regarding the meeting. Myanmar acknowledged the positive aspects of the Asean Chair’s statement but expressed disappointment that some wording and requests did not reflect the constructive measures undertaken by a member state, according to the MOFA statement.
The ministry said the calls in the statement to “provide greater access to detainees in Myanmar” and to “fully and unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi” have implications for a country’s judicial processes and fundamental principles of the rule of law.
The MOFA said Aung San Suu Kyi was being dealt with under criminal law after being legally convicted of electoral fraud, corruption and mismanagement.
Although the government has reduced her sentences on humanitarian grounds, the ministry said that her full and unconditional release can only be carried out in accordance with the law.
Over the past five years, Myanmar has cooperated to the best of its ability with successive Asean Chairs’ Special Envoys for Myanmar and will continue to cooperate with the current Asean Chair’s Special Envoy, the statement said.
However, as a government that emerged from a multiparty democratic election held in accordance with the wishes of the people is now responsible for governing Myanmar, the ministry said it considers that there may no longer be a need to appoint a new Special Envoy of the Asean Chair or to continue the role in the future.
The MOFA also stressed that, as Asean is a rules-based regional organization comprising sovereign states, it must consistently respect the principles enshrined in the Asean Charter, particularly the principles of independence, sovereignty, equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
The ministry said member states should adhere to the fundamental principles they have established themselves and refrain from actions that could amount to exerting pressure on or interfering in the internal affairs of another member state.
Myanmar will respond to what it considers negative discrimination on a case-by-case basis with necessary measures, the ministry said.
In line with its foreign policy, Myanmar will work to advance relations with Asean based on realities while safeguarding national interests and sovereignty and pursuing a Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned approach. - Eleven Media/ANN
