ASEAN agrees to implement recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment Mission and enhance ASEAN’s role in supporting Myanmar in facilitating the repatriation process

Ministry of Information/ Naypyitaw / June 24, 2019

The Myanmar delegation led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, arrived back Nay Pyi Taw today evening by a special flight after attending the 34th ASEAN Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand from 22 to 23 June 2019.

During the 34th ASEAN Summit (Plenary), the ASEAN Leaders discussed ways on advancing partnership for sustainability of the ASEAN Community Building on 22 June 2019. On 23 June 2019, the Leaders also exchanged views on external relations and future direction of ASEAN as well as regional and international issues during the 34th ASEAN Summit (Retreat).

On the humanitarian situation in Rakhine State, the ASEAN Leaders discussed in a constructive way acknowledging the complexity of the issue and the need to enhance ASEAN’s support to Myanmar in facilitating the repatriation process. Some stressed the importance of creating conducive environment for the returnees and taking into consideration of timeframe in implementing the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment Mission.

The State Counsellor expressed her appreciation to the Secretary General of ASEAN and the AHA Centre for their pragmatic and positive approach in seeking solution to the issue. She also said that the report of the Preliminary Needs Assessment Mission was constructive, and she welcomed the support and assistance of all ASEAN Member States. She added that Myanmar more than any other State would wish for a smooth and speedy resolution of the problems and that it is important for Myanmar and Bangladesh as well to work constantly to hasten up the implementation of the bilateral agreement on repatriation. As peace, stability and development are linked together, she said that Myanmar has been trying to bring about in Rakhine State peace, stability and development to establish long-term harmony between all the different communities.

At the Working Dinner of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held on 21 July 2019, the Ministers discussed in an informal manner the ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the humanitarian situation in Rakhine State. On the issue of Rakhine State, the Ministers discussed the Report of the Preliminary Needs Assessment Mission which was based on the mandate given by ASEAN, implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report, the importance of prioritization of the basic services needed, cooperation with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners on possible support and the cooperation and assistance voluntarily extended by the ASEAN Member States to Myanmar to address the humanitarian situation.

Chairman’s Statement of the 34th ASEAN Summit was issued at the conclusion of the Summit. With regard to the humanitarian situation in Rakhine, the ASEAN Leaders reaffirmed, in the Statement, their support for a more visible and enhanced role of ASEAN to support Myanmar in providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating the repatriation process and promoting sustainable development. They agreed for the Secretary General of ASEAN to go further with the recommendations contained in the Preliminary Needs Assessment, including those that focus on capacity-building, dissemination of information and support to the provision of basic services in Rakhine State. They also expressed their continued support for Myanmar’s commitment to ensure safety and security for all communities in Rakhine State as effectively as possible. They also reaffirmed ASEAN’s support for Myanmar’s efforts to bring peace, stability, the rule of law, to promote harmony and reconciliation among the various communities as well as to ensure sustainable and equitable development in Rakhine State.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nay Pyi Taw
Date: 23 June 2019

Photo: MNA

Ref: The Global New Light of Myanmar