ASEAN allows Myanmar to participate virtually in agenda from July

Tokyo (ANTARA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has finally allowed the attendance of Myanmar’s foreign minister and diplomats to participate virtually in side agendas during ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings starting from July.

According to sources familiar with the matter, as quoted by Kyodo on Friday, this concession to Myanmar was made after ASEAN adjusted to the new government structure in Myanmar led by President Min Aung Hlaing, the former junta leader.

Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, ASEAN has banned Myanmar’s leaders from attending the organisation’s agendas since October 2021.

At the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday, all leaders of ASEAN member countries, except Myanmar, discussed maritime cooperation and a joint response to the energy crisis resulting from attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, including proposals for cooperation to secure oil supplies.

However, according to the source, Singapore opposed Thailand’s proposal and rejected the presence of Myanmar’s foreign minister in the main meetings in person.

Despite ongoing dialogue efforts with Myanmar’s authorities following the military coup that ousted the civilian government, ASEAN continues to express concern over the protracted conflict in Myanmar.

According to the source, the Philippine foreign minister, whose country holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year and also serves as ASEAN’s special envoy to Myanmar, sees no objections to the virtual participation of Myanmar’s foreign minister in the upcoming July meetings.

ASEAN is a geopolitical and economic organisation comprising the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Myanmar.