MYANMAR'S WAR, BACK AT THE TABLE: ASEAN Envoy Meets Junta Minister in Naypyitaw

Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Teresa Lazaro, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy on Myanmar, met her Myanmar counterpart Tin Maung Swe in the capital Naypyitaw on Thursday, according to official statements reported by Reuters.

The talks covered Myanmar's civil war and humanitarian access. State-run media in Myanmar said Lazaro discussed ways to restore Myanmar's original role and rights within ASEAN, though a statement from Lazaro's office made no mention of that discussion.

Myanmar's army-backed government wants a normalisation of ties with ASEAN after its leadership was barred from summits in 2021 for failing to de-escalate conflict following the military coup. In August, Myanmar's government had said there was no longer a need for an ASEAN special envoy.

Tin Maung Swe said Myanmar was working to implement ASEAN's five-point peace plan, in line with its national interests and sovereignty, according to state media.

Lazaro had sought access to Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, detained since she was toppled in the coup. Lazaro's office made no mention of a meeting with her, but Lazaro was quoted by Philippine outlet Bilyonaryo, which joined her trip, as saying she asked about Suu Kyi and the response was “quite positive that she's doing well.” That account is unconfirmed by Myanmar's government in the Reuters report. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, which led to a civil war that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million, according to Reuters' context in the report.