ASEAN urges unity on Myanmar peace plan, avoids splitting bloc

Indonesia works to paper over splits shown in December meeting

20230204 ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting

ASEAN's foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta, which ended on Feb. 4, reaffirmed their common position on the conflict in Myanmar. (Photo courtesy of Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

NANA SHIBATA and ISMI DAMAYANTI, Nikkei staff writers

February 4, 2023 16:08 JST

JAKARTA -- Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday concluded their first ministerial summit of the year after two days of talks, with Indonesia's top diplomat saying that member states showed "unity" on the implementation of a peace plan for crisis-hit Myanmar.

Retno Marsudi, Indonesia's foreign minister, who holds the group's rotating chairmanship, said ASEAN has deliberated on and proposed the implementation of a peace plan with broad support from the group. Myanmar's military-appointed foreign minister was barred from attending the meeting.