Union Minister U Kyaw Tin participates in ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat via Videoconference

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat via video- conference at 8:00 am yesterday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. The meeting was attended by ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

At the meeting, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam briefed the meeting on priorities of Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2021. He informed that Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship would be guided by the theme of “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”. He also informed that Brunei Darussalam’s Chairmanship would focus on three main priorities namely: to harness the caring nature of ASEAN to build a harmonious and resilient community with people at its centre; to prepare ASEAN for the future so that it remains relevant, and its people can take advantage of new opportunities as well as overcome existing and future challenges and threats; and to create opportunities for all and enhance sustainable prosperity in the region.

The Ministers also discussed matters relating to the follow-up to the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, external relations, priorities and deliverables of Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
At the meeting, Union Minister U Kyaw Tin while supporting the priorities and deliverables of Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship also underscored his confidence that Brunei Darussalam will guide ASEAN comprehensively to achieve significant results on the priorities and deliverables as well as to further progress ASEAN Community building efforts. He also stressed that securing early access to a safe and affordable vaccine for COVID-19 must be a top priority for ASEAN.

Union Minister also appraised the meeting of Myanmar Government’s efforts in creating a conducive environment for the returnees, cooperation with ASEAN in the implementation of the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA), and continued discussion with Bangladesh to commence repatriation in accordance with bilateral agreements. The Union Minister also brief the meeting on the outcomes of the trilateral Vice-Ministerial Meeting of 19 January 2021 between Myanmar, China and Bangladesh to discuss the commencement of repatriation of displaced persons.
At the end of the meeting, a press release was issued by the Chairman of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. In the press release, ASEAN Foreign Ministers, among others, welcomed the Myanmar Government’s continued efforts in addressing the situation in Rakhine State, including commencing the repatriation process in accordance with its bilateral agreements with Bangladesh, and reaffirmed ASEAN’s continued support for Myanmar’s efforts to bring peace and stability, to promote harmony and reconciliation among the various communities as well as to promote inclusive and sustainable development in Rakhine State. They also reaffirmed ASEAN’s readiness to play a more visible and enhanced role to support Myanmar in those endeavours and therefore reiterated their appreciation to the Secretary-General of ASEAN for his efforts in leading the PNA recommendation; and looked forward to the conduct of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and encouraged the Secretary-General of ASEAN to continue identifying possible areas to effectively facilitate the repatriation process.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was the first meeting held during Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2021. Brunei Darussalam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship from 1 January to 31 December 2021. —MNA