Press Pointers on the Six-Country Informal Consultation

on 19 December 2024

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• This morning, Thailand hosted the Six-Country Informal Consultation among the Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives from Myanmar, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, China, and India.

• The discussion today was significant because it was the first gathering between Myanmar and all five of its neighbouring countries.

• At Thailand’s initiative, today’s informal consultation built on:
  • informal consultation between Thailand, India and Myanmar during the BIMSTEC FM Retreat in New Delhi in July, and
  • informal consultation between Thailand, China, Myanmar and Lao PDR on the sidelines of the MLC FM’s meeting in Chiangmai in August.

• The informal consultation today is a separate event from the ASEAN informal discussion tomorrow but will be complementary to ASEAN’s efforts to advance tangible implementation of the 5-point consensus.

• The participants had a frank and constructive exchange of views on common challenges such as those related to border security and combatting transnational crimes, particularly illicit drugs and online scams. Every country agreed to elevate cooperation on these matters, especially exchanging information and coordination on law enforcement. The issue of water resource management was also discussed.

• The overall atmosphere of the discussion was very good. All participating countries appreciated Thailand for taking this initiative and agreed on the importance and necessity of direct and regular consultation between Myanmar and neighbouring countries.

• As these countries are directly impacted, they understand the situation in Myanmar more than others. This consultation will be followed-up and future opportunities to meet will be explored, as appropriate.

• H.E. Mr. Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar shared updates on the political roadmap of Myanmar and developments with respect to preparations for upcoming elections next year, including a population census, registration of political parties and the intention to invite election observers from abroad, such as from neighbouring countries.

• All neighbouring countries have a shared interest in seeing a peaceful, stable and unified Myanmar through a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned process. They urged all parties in Myanmar to stop violence and engage in dialogue in order to find peaceful solutions. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar informed the gathering that the Myanmar Government has opened the door for dialogue to find peaceful solutions through a political process.

• The Thai Foreign Minister also had the opportunity to hold bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and discussed key issues, such as the case of the four Thai fishermen. He also discussed with both Myanmar and India, the reopening of Asian Highway-1, which is significant for border trade and connectivity between Southeast Asia and South Asia.

• All participating countries held numerous bilateral engagements, reflecting the value of the gathering today and the appreciation of the constructive role of Thailand as bridge-builder.

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