The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar welcomes the address of Myanmar in the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit Joint Leaders’ Statement adopted on 14 December 2022.

The Joint Statement calls for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, for the release of all political detainees, and for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to all persons in need without discrimination. EU and ASEAN Leaders also denounced the execution of four pro-democracy activists in July, and called on the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to build ‘confidence and trust with full access to all parties concerned’.

While these calls are welcome they are not new, and significant opportunities were missed. The Joint Statement stopped short of expressing support for the National Unity Government as the legitimate representative of the Myanmar people. It also failed to condemn the illegal military junta’s atrocities.

The Joint Leaders’ Statement does however make a notable EU-ASEAN commitment to ‘redouble’ collective efforts towards a ‘peaceful solution in Myanmar that also reflects a continued commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms’.

An EU-ASEAN commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms must respect the democratic will of the Myanmar people by upholding the results of the 2020 general election and blocking all attempts by the junta to hold sham elections. It must see support for the Federal Democracy Charter and rejection of the junta’s unlawful state of emergency. It demands concrete action to dismantle the junta’s capacity to inflict further atrocities on civilians, including by imposing sanctions on jet fuel suppliers. It requires intense pressure to prevent the junta from executing more political prisoners.

The National Unity Government stands ready to work in partnership with the EU and ASEAN to action their redoubled efforts and to help solve the multiple junta-induced crises destabilising the peace and security of our region.

Finally, the National Unity Government acknowledges ASEAN’s renewed call for support from external partners such as the EU. Reciprocity should see ASEAN express its public support for UN Security Council action on Myanmar and for international accountability efforts.