Foreign ministers of the Philippines and Myanmar discussed the humanitarian situation

Talks during a visit to Myanmar

The Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teresita Lazaro held talks on October 29 with her Myanmar counterpart U Tin Maung Swe on the humanitarian situation in the country. According to a statement by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the sides discussed ways to expand the delivery of aid to affected and hard-to-reach communities, the implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, as well as bilateral cooperation.

Context of the consensus and the visit

According to the Anadolu agency, ASEAN regards the Five-Point Consensus as the main instrument for resolving the crisis in Myanmar; it provides for an immediate cessation of violence and dialogue between the conflicting parties. Lazaro's visit lasted two days and ended on Thursday; her program included the symbolic handover of a restored monastery in Pyinmana township. The Philippines currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship, which gives this visit particular weight in regional diplomacy.