The Myanmar junta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) not to engage with any terrorist groups and unlawful associations.

On 12 January, the junta’s ministry made the demand as a response to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi’s statement about Myanmar.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi declared on 11 January that her nation, as the ASEAN chair for 2023, would not allow the crisis in Myanmar to derail the bloc’s work toward enhanced unity in the region, according to the Jakarta Post.

“The Myanmar military junta made no significant progress in implementing the 5PC," Retno said, referring to the Five-Point Consensus to resolve the Myanmar crisis that was agreed in Jakarta in 2021.

The Indonesian government will also establish a special envoy’s office to coordinate the ASEAN’s handling of the conflict in Myanmar, reported The Diplomat.

“Indonesia will engage with all stakeholders,” Retno said.

The statement of Myanmar junta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, “Myanmar will implement ASEAN’s five-point consensus in line with the fundamental principles of upholding its national interest, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of the member states.”

The junta’s ministry adds that the country will continue its efforts to restore the multiparty democratic system in line with the 2008 State Constitution as an independent and sovereign state.

“Myanmar again urged ASEAN as a rule-based organization, to follow the provisions of the ASEAN Charter and its fundamental principles and not to engage with any terrorist groups and unlawful associations which had been declared by the Government of Myanmar,” said the junta’s ministry.