PHNOM PENH: The Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, said that his visit to Myanmar allowed him to find out about the current situation, understand the positions of various stakeholders and listen to their requests.

Speaking at a press conference on the ASEAN Special Envoy’s visit to Myanmar, DPM Prak Sokhonn gave his assessment that the results of his visit to Myanmar this year were fruitful.

He said, "Speaking of results, if the results are comparable to the expectations of the ASEAN envoys, it is good, does not exceed expectations, but is not bad.”

DPM Prak Sokhonn stated that he regrets not being able to meet with senior member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), First Lady Su Su Lwin, the wife of the former President of Myanmar and close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi. He explained that he was unable to meet her due to her Covid-19 illness.

However, the ASEAN Special Envoy was still able to meet with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Chairman of the State Administrative Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. After meeting with the Myanmar military leader, DPM Prak Sokhonn also went on to meet with the Myanmar Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wunna Maung Lwin, and the Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peace Committee, General Ya Pyae.

The DPM particularly highlighted his meeting with Ko Ko Gyi, a leading democracy activist, who provided many good comments based on his knowledge of both sides of Myanmar – both the military and civilian life. The DPM said Ko Ko Gyi provided him with a lot of valuable knowledge and good advice for further work to be conducted.

Addressing the allegation that the Cambodian visit to Myanmar provided legitimacy to the military in power, DPM Prak Sokhonn stated, "Cambodia is purely here to help. Cambodia has no political or economic gain [from making these visits], that is, Cambodia is honest."

It should be noted that from 21-23 March 2022, DPM Prak Sokhonn, as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, led a delegation to pay a working visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.