Jakarta, July 14 (EFE).- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday to exert pressure on Myanmar’s military junta to halt violence and restore democratic governance.
Speaking at the start of a ministerial summit in Jakarta, Blinken emphasized the importance of stopping the violence and implementing Asean’s five-point consensus as a means to bring peace to Myanmar, which has been subjected to alleged brutal rule since the military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021.
“In Myanmar, we must press the military regime to stop the violence, to implement Asean’s five-point consensus, and to support a return to democratic governance,” he told Asean foreign ministers.
Despite the signing of the Asean five-point roadmap in April 2021, progress has been limited in fulfilling its terms.
Instead, the conflict has intensified and spread throughout the country, leading to a heightened focus on the Myanmar crisis during the Asean meetings in Jakarta.
During the summit, Blinken also highlighted the crucial partnership between the US and Asean in various areas, such as trade, health, and development.
He addressed shared challenges including the nuclear threat from North Korea, the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, the stability of the Taiwan Strait, and the repercussions of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Blinken’s engagements included meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Jakarta meetings. EFE
Source : latina bilingual
