The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) recently announced that the much-anticipated Asean Troika Plus meeting, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, is likely to take place after this year’s Asean Summit. Bolbongse Vangphaen, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asean Affairs, revealed that Laos, serving as the Asean chairman this year, has embraced Thailand’s proposal for this crucial meeting. This proposal was initially discussed during the 57th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held last month in Vientiane.
“We’re currently coordinating with this year’s Asean chair to finalize the timeline for the meeting,” Vangphaen explained. “The expectation is that the Troika Plus meeting will occur after the main Asean Summit scheduled for this October.”
Mr. Bolbongse was speaking at an event celebrating Asean Day 2024, which marks the 57-year milestone of Asean’s establishment. During his address, he highlighted the collaborative efforts of Asean member states, including Thailand, in assisting Myanmar to resolve its internal issues. However, he emphasized that it’s ultimately up to Myanmar and its internal stakeholders to engage in dialogue effectively.
“Asean nations, particularly Thailand, are tirelessly working to encourage all concerned parties within Myanmar to communicate with one another. The ramifications of the Myanmar crisis have significantly impacted the Asean region, especially Thailand, due to its extensive shared border with Myanmar,” he noted.
The Asean Troika Plus is a pivotal body within the Asean community, consisting of the foreign ministers from the bloc’s past, current, and upcoming chair countries—Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia respectively. The term “plus” includes other Asean member states keen on facilitating peace or those particularly concerned about the crisis. It also encompasses other relevant stakeholders such as Myanmar’s neighboring countries and various international entities that have appointed their own special envoys to Myanmar.
As the Myanmar situation continues to evolve, the Asean Troika Plus meeting represents a promising step toward fostering stability and peace in the region. The collaborative spirit and collective determination of Asean member states could be the key to unlocking a viable roadmap for Myanmar’s future, helping the nation navigate through its current challenges and move towards a more harmonious tomorrow.
This is a step in the right direction, but can we really expect any meaningful change from these meetings?
Agreed, Anna. It’s always the same old promises with Asean, but rarely any concrete results.
Maybe the international pressure from these ‘special envoys’ might make a difference this time.
Let’s hope so, but I’m not holding my breath.
Change takes time, and these dialogues are vital to keeping the lines of communication open.
Yes, but what’s the point if Myanmar’s own government isn’t willing to cooperate?
How is Thailand supposed to encourage dialogue when Myanmar’s military junta refuses to listen?
Good question. But it’s not just Thailand, the entire Asean community has a stake in resolving this.
Actions speak louder than words, and we haven’t seen any real action from Asean.
Exactly! It’s time for Asean to put their money where their mouth is.
Asean has been ineffective for years. Why should we believe this Troika Plus meeting will be any different?
Cynicism won’t help. These meetings are stepping stones for bigger changes.
I’ve yet to see those ‘bigger changes’ materialize.
Laos as Asean chair adopting Thailand’s proposal shows unity, which is a positive sign.
Unity on paper, maybe. The real question is whether they can actualize it.
With Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia taking the lead, there’s a chance for new diplomatic strategies to emerge.
The Asean Troika Plus system sounds complex. Will it have enough power to enforce any meaningful measures?
It’s not just about power, but the will to act. Countries are often self-serving.
Look at how the crisis impacts Thailand directly. They have a vested interest in pushing for resolution.
The real question is whether Asean has the backbone to confront Myanmar’s military regime head-on.
Asean’s principle of non-interference makes that unlikely.
Engaging other international entities might put additional pressure on Myanmar. That’s the only hope I see.
Revealing plans for post-summit discussions might be a way to buy time. Let’s see what really happens in October.
True diplomacy is slow. It’s a game of patience, and the Asean Troika Plus might be setting the stage for future action.
With all the international scrutiny, Asean has no choice but to take more visible action.
I’ve seen too many ‘promising steps’ that led nowhere. Myanmar needs more than just dialogue; it needs accountability.