Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the High-Level Meeting of the Group of Friends on Myanmar

The Secretary-General thanks all the Friends for their high-level participation in a useful and constructive discussion. He also welcomes the participation by the Ministers from several concerned countries as well as by the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] and the High Representative of the European Union [EU], in today's meeting. This is a clear signal of the importance that the international community attaches to the situation in Myanmar.

The members of the Group were unanimous in expressing their continued strong support for the Secretary-General's good offices and for its implementation through his Special Adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari.

While noting the recent actions taken by the Government of Myanmar, members of the Group also further encouraged it to work more closely with and respond more positively with the United Nations good offices to address key issues of concern to the international community, especially the release of political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the initiation of an all-inclusive dialogue between the Government and the opposition.

Members of the Group encouraged all parties in Myanmar to seize the opportunity of the UN good offices, while stressing the responsibility of the Myanmar Government to demonstrate its stated commitment to cooperation with the good offices through further tangible results.