NEW DELHI: The foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States today called for an end to the ongoing violence in Myanmar and backed Asean's efforts to achieve peace in the troubled country.
The group of foreign ministers from the four countries held a meeting in New Delhi to discuss developments in the Indo-Pacific region and regional issues of mutual interest.
"We strongly emphasise the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity, and express our deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar," read their joint statement.
"In this regard, we emphasise the need for complete cessation of violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, resolution of issues through dialogues, unhindered humanitarian access and transition to an inclusive, federal democratic system in Myanmar," the ministers said.
The joint statement supported Asean-led efforts, including the work of the Asean chair and office of the special envoy, to end the conflict and violence in Myanmar.
It called for the full implementation of Asean's Five-Point Consensus, which includes an immediate cessation of violence, holding of talks for political reconciliation and provision of humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced.
The ministers also condemned North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches, including the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Feb 18.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi participated in the joint meeting. -- BERNAMA