BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 3 March, 2021 (TON): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) confirmed its assistance for Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner.

The organization has been closely following the current developments in the region and concurred that the political stability in any and all member states is essential to achieving a collective peaceful, stable and prosperous Community, according to the chair's statement released on Tuesday on the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

"We expressed our concern on the situation in Myanmar and called on all parties to refrain from instigating further violence, and for all sides to exercise utmost restraint as well as flexibility.

"We also called on all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution, through constructive dialogue and practical reconciliation in the interests of the people and their livelihood," the statement said.

"We underscored the need to maintain our unity, centrality, and relevance in the region and to collectively address common challenges."

The Myanmar military staged the coup on 1 February and declared a year-long state of emergency for Myanmar witnessed continued protests demanding the release of former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior officials of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party and also the restoration of the democratically elected government.