PHNOM PENH: Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has promised to the Chaiman of Asean and Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen that he will facilitate the ASEAN special envoy's visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties in the conflict across the country, including ethnic armed groups.

This promise was made during the visit of ASEAN Chairman 2022, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen to Myanmar and met with Min Aung Hlaing on the afternoon of January 7.

Mr. Min Aung Hlaing informed that his military government has decided to declare a ceasefire with all ethnic armed groups until the end of 2022 and called on all parties to implement the ceasefire stand for the benefit of the nation and the people, stop all violence and exercise the utmost patience.

He congratulated Cambodia on assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022 and welcomed the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar and pledged support to the Special Envoy to Fulfill its role in implementing the five-point unanimous agreement in accordance with the ASEAN Charter.

In a joint statement issued on January 7, it stated: "His Excellency the Senior General welcomed the participation of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar to participate in the ceasefire talks with the Minorities Armed Forces.”

The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen shared the success of Cambodia's win-win policy, which has achieved national reconciliation, lasting peace, stability, development and prosperity. He emphasized that based on the experience and lessons learned in Cambodia, Peaceful and national unity could not be achieved without the participation and consensus of all stakeholders.

Today's joint declaration is a positive sign that paves the way for the implementation of the five ASEAN consensus agreements for Myanmar, which has been stalled in the past.

ASEAN's five-point unanimous agreement on Myanmar calls for an end to the violence, the establishment of a multilateral dialogue, the coordination of ASEAN special envoys, the provision of humanitarian assistance and the granting of special envoys to visit Myanmar.

The crisis in Myanmar stems from the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, the arrest of State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myin and other ruling party officials by the Myanmar Armed Forces. Disregarded the results of the November 2020 election and handed over the leadership of the country to the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, Min Aung Hlaing.

The coup has angered the people of Myanmar, who have staged a series of protests, with ASEAN recently deciding not to include Myanmar at its summit.

Such decision was not decided in the time Cambodia became ASEAN Chairmanship this year. The Prime Minister of Cambodia has told lately he would bring Myanmar back to ASEAN for strengthening the unity of the Southeast Asian nation.