Top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met over the weekend in Langkawi, Malaysia, to apply new pressure on Myanmar’s military junta and press for a ceasefire.
A junta representative outlined plans for an upcoming election — largely seen as a ploy to boost credibility for the country’s ruling generals — to the foreign ministers.
"We told them the election is not a priority. The priority now is to ceasefire," Malaysia’s foreign minister told reporters after the ministerial meeting. "What we want is unhindered humanitarian aid that can reach all in Myanmar.”
Myanmar’s democratically elected government was overthrown in a military coup on February 1, 2021, sparking a devastating civil war. According to UN figures, over the last four years, at least 5,350 civilians have been killed and more than 3.5 million have been displaced.
Finalizing a Canada-ASEAN FTA
Ottawa is currently negotiating a trade agreement with ASEAN. In October 2024, Thailand’s commerce minister said he was ready to push along the FTA talks “so the pact can be signed as scheduled next year.”
With Canada’s Parliament prorogued and a potential spring election on the horizon, however, that timeline could be pushed back.
Merchandise trade between ASEAN members and Canada hit roughly C$40 billion in 2023.
