Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders said today they are “deeply concerned” by the violence in Myanmar and condemned the recent attack on a convoy carrying humanitarian aid.

“We are deeply concerned about the violence in Myanmar” and “call for an immediate halt to the use of all forms of violence” to “create an environment conducive to (…) the delivery of humanitarian assistance and an inclusive national dialogue,” the regional body said. , whose summit is taking place today and tomorrow Thursday, in a press release issued by him.

Following talks by heads of ASEAN diplomatic missions on Tuesday, leaders of countries in the region today began a two-day summit on the island of Flores in eastern Indonesia.

At the start of the meeting, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged his colleagues to demonstrate “unity” to address the challenges facing the 10-member body.

“With unity, ASEAN can play a central role in peace and development,” he said.

ASEAN, criticized for its inaction, has tried to intervene to resolve the crisis in Myanmar through diplomatic means. But in vain until today. The junta in Myanmar defies international condemnation and outrage and refuses to even negotiate with opponents of the regime.

In the middle of last month, at least 170 people died as a result of military airstrikes in the Sagain region in central Myanmar.

Pressure on ASEAN escalated after a convoy of diplomats and officials carrying humanitarian aid from the regional organization was caught in crossfire on Sunday in eastern Myanmar.

The motorcade with two officials from the Indonesian embassy and two more from the Singaporean embassy in Rangoon was hit by bullets, but there were no injuries.

Myanmar formally remains an ASEAN member state, but is barred from holding high-level meetings because the military regime is ignoring its proposals and plans to resolve the crisis.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}