Latest news with #ThongsavanhPhomvihane
Malaysian Reserve
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN Minister praise Malaysia's proactive role in addressing Myanmar crisis
ASEAN Foreign Ministers have commended Malaysia's proactive leadership in reviving efforts to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and facilitating constructive dialogue to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo said both the informal and extended informal consultations on the implementation of the 5PC, held on Saturday ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), proceeded smoothly. 'Yes, the consultations went very well. We reaffirmed our commitment to the 5PC and agreed that ASEAN will continue working hard. 'We congratulated Malaysia on its efforts so far to bring some kind of process moving forward so that perhaps there could be some real dialogue between the opposing factions,' he told Bernama and TV3 after attending the consultations. Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's bold and proactive approach in addressing the Myanmar issue, saying ASEAN remained actively engaged in efforts to pursue peace in the country. When asked about Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN, Thongsavanh said it was not within his purview to decide, but added that 'continued engagement will be key', and he believed ASEAN remained supportive of Timor-Leste's full membership journey. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, on the other hand, praised Malaysia's leadership, saying that he 'would like to give credit to the current Chair for taking proactive steps.' He said Malaysia had demonstrated responsibility in addressing the Myanmar issue and ensuring continued engagement through ASEAN processes. The first informal consultation was attended by the previous, current and incoming ASEAN Chairs, namely Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines, while the extended informal consultation involved all ASEAN Foreign Ministers, except Myanmar. Both sessions were chaired by Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim initiated separate dialogues with Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing and the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), which marked a significant step towards fostering direct engagement between conflicting parties. The move has been seen as a potential breakthrough in ASEAN's mediation efforts. The 5PC was adopted by ASEAN in April 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar on Feb 1 that year. It calls for an immediate cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and for the envoy to be granted access to all stakeholders in Myanmar. Despite its significance, implementation of the consensus has largely stalled due to the junta's continued non-compliance, with the issue remaining a central concern in ASEAN's ongoing engagement with Myanmar. The 46th ASEAN Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. This year also marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing ASEAN, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. — BERNAMA
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean ministers laud Malaysia's proactive role in addressing Myanmar crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Foreign Ministers have commended Malaysia's proactive leadership in reviving efforts to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and facilitating constructive dialogue to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo said both the informal and extended informal consultations on the implementation of the 5PC, held today ahead of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), proceeded smoothly. "Yes, the consultations went very well. We reaffirmed our commitment to the 5PC and agreed that Asean will continue working hard. "We congratulated Malaysia on its efforts so far to bring some kind of process forward so that perhaps there could be real dialogue between the opposing factions," he told Bernama and TV3 after attending the consultations. Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's bold and proactive approach in addressing the Myanmar issue, adding that Asean remained actively engaged in efforts to pursue peace in the country. When asked about Timor-Leste's bid to join Asean, Thongsavanh said it was not within his purview to decide, but said that "continued engagement will be key", and he believed Asean remained supportive of Timor-Leste's full membership journey. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa likewise praised Malaysia's leadership, saying, "I would like to give credit to the current Chair for taking proactive steps". He said Malaysia had demonstrated responsibility in addressing the Myanmar issue and ensuring continued engagement through Asean processes. The first informal consultation was attended by the previous, current and incoming Asean Chairs, namely Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines, while the extended informal consultation involved all Asean foreign ministers, except Myanmar. Both sessions were chaired by Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim initiated separate dialogues with Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, and the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), marking a significant step towards fostering direct engagement between conflicting parties. The move has been viewed as a potential breakthrough in Asean's mediation efforts. The 5PC was adopted by Asean in April 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar on Feb 1 that year. It calls for an immediate cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and for the envoy to be granted access to all stakeholders in Myanmar. Despite its significance, implementation of the consensus has largely stalled due to the junta's continued non-compliance, with the issue remaining a central concern in Asean's ongoing engagement with Myanmar. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability". This year also marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing Asean, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Thai Foreign Minister arrives for ASEAN Summit
SEPANG: Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is among the Southeast Asian ministers who arrived in Malaysia this evening for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, which began today. The aircraft carrying him and his Laotian counterpart, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here at approximately 8.30 pm. Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono are among the diplomats scheduled to arrive tomorrow. The ASEAN Summit will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on May 26 and 27, alongside the second ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. The 46th ASEAN Summit will bring together leaders from ASEAN member states to discuss regional issues and chart the future direction of ASEAN cooperation. It was reported that Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. With the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, the summit marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing ASEAN, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Thai Foreign Minister Arrives For ASEAN Summit
SEPANG, May 23 (Bernama) -- Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is among the Southeast Asian ministers who arrived in Malaysia this evening for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, which began today. The aircraft carrying him and his Laotian counterpart, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here at approximately 8.30 pm. Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono are among the diplomats scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Laos takes steps toward graduation from LDC status
Laos has incorporated the goals and principles of the UN Plan of Action into its national development strategies. - Vientiane Times/ANN VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting of the National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), focusing on preparations for the country's graduation from LDC status by 2026. The meeting, held here on Thursday (April 24), was chaired by Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane and attended by representatives from various Lao ministries, government agencies, and the United Nations (UN) offices in Laos. The meeting reviewed a progress report and a draft readiness assessment, while participants exchanged views and recommendations on the country's preparedness and the transition process, the local news website Lao Phattana News reported on Friday. Laos has incorporated the goals and principles of the UN Plan of Action into its national development strategies, beginning with the Doha Programme of Action for 2022-2031, and established a national steering committee to lead implementation efforts. Laos is drafting an assessment, with the support of the United Nations, to evaluate its readiness for graduation from LDC status by 2026. The goal is to ensure the transition is smooth, sustainable and irreversible. - Xinhua
