Manila: The Philippines, as this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Friday called for the 'complete and unconditional' release of detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi following her meeting with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to Philippines News Agency, the ASEAN chair described the Aug. 3 meeting between Suu Kyi and ICRC Resident Representative to Myanmar Arnaud de Baecque as a 'positive step' toward inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation among all stakeholders in Myanmar. The meeting marked the first documented contact of Suu Kyi outside detention in more than five years since she was arrested following the military takeover in 2021.

The ASEAN chair expressed hope that the engagement would pave the way for 'regular and sustained access for her family, legal counsel, medical professionals, and appropriate humanitarian representatives.' 'We urge the further expansion of access to persons held in detention in Myanmar since February 2021, and reiterate our call for their release, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's complete and unconditional release,' the Philippines said.

The statement further emphasized that 'further positive steps would contribute to building trust and creating a more conducive environment for lasting peace and stability in Myanmar.' The Philippines also said it looks forward to facilitating access for Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who serves as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, to visit the country and engage 'all parties concerned,' including Suu Kyi, in line with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.

'We reaffirm our continued commitment to assisting Myanmar, as an integral part of ASEAN, towards a peaceful and durable solution to the situation in Myanmar that is Myanmar-owned and -led,' it said.