CEBU CITY – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “as of now” is not recognizing the recently concluded elections in Myanmar, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Thursday.

Speaking after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu, Lazaro said the bloc would need additional meetings and consultations to address the establishment of a new government in Myanmar.

During the retreat, Myanmar’s representative described the polls as “very peaceful” with strong voter participation. However, Lazaro said the ministers emphasized that elections in Myanmar must be “free, fair, peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible.”

Pressed on whether ASEAN would recognize the election results, Lazaro said: “As of now… It (ASEAN) has not endorsed the three phases of the elections that was held in Myanmar.”

She added that the foreign ministers and Myanmar’s representative were “united” in reaffirming the Five-Point Consensus as the “primary reference” for resolving the crisis.

“We noted that any meaningful political progress can only take place in an environment of peace, security and inclusivity supported by the cessation of violence and inclusive dialog among all relevant stakeholders,” Lazaro said.

The ministers also affirmed their commitment to facilitating a “Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led” solution to the conflict and stated that ASEAN continues to regard Myanmar as an “integral part” of the bloc.

“We prefer that Myanmar would still be in ASEAN. But there has to be certain progress in the present situation,” Lazaro said.

The crisis in Myanmar, following the military takeover in 2021, remains one of ASEAN’s most pressing regional challenges. The Five-Point Consensus, agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in 2021, calls for an immediate cessation of violence and the exercise of utmost restraint by all parties.