The Naypyitaw meeting

ASEAN special envoy Ma. Teresa Lazaro, who is also Philippine Foreign Secretary, met Myanmar's foreign minister Tin Maung Swe in the capital Naypyitaw on Thursday 29 October, and discussed the country's civil war and humanitarian access, Reuters reported, citing official statements and Myanmar state media.

Myanmar's army-backed government wants normalisation of ties with ASEAN, after its leadership was barred from summits in 2021 for failure to de-escalate the conflict following the military coup. State-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday that Lazaro discussed ways to restore Myanmar's original role and rights within ASEAN, while a statement from Lazaro's own office made no mention of that discussion.

The Suu Kyi question

Tin Maung Swe said Myanmar was working to implement ASEAN's five-point peace plan, in line with its national interests and sovereignty, according to state media. Lazaro had sought access to detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, detained since she was toppled in the coup, and her office made no mention of a meeting.

Lazaro was quoted by Philippine outlet Bilyonaryo, which travelled with her, as saying she asked about the situation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the response was quite positive that she is doing well. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the coup, which led to a civil war that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million, according to Reuters. Myanmar's government said in August 2026 there was no longer a need for an ASEAN special envoy.

Sources: Reuters