Laos, Myanmar unlikely to join ASEM in near future
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (JP): ASEAN is resigned to the fact that its two newest members, Laos and Myanmar, will not be included in the recently formed Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process in the near future.
Newly elected ASEAN secretary-general, Rodolfo Severino, told The Jakarta Post that despite having backing from the grouping, the two countries are not likely to get in.
"Obviously, ASEAN would like its members to be part of any association where the rest are, but we are realistic enough to acknowledge that this is not going to happen any time soon," said Filipino Severino, who was elected last week to replace Dato Ajit Singh, who steps down as secretary-general at the end of this year.
He added that the situation in ASEM was different because ASEAN is not represented as a block, but as individual states.
"For one thing, ASEAN is not represented in ASEM. It is the individual ASEAN members who are represented in ASEM. So, you cannot say there is one ASEAN position although the Asian members of ASEM do consult each other."
In an attempt to foster dialog between Asia and Europe, a leaders' forum was instituted, with the inaugural meeting held in Bangkok in 1996.
In 1996, Asia was represented by China, Japan and South Korea and the then seven ASEAN members, while Europe comprised the 15 member European Union.
In the past, the EU has been extremely critical of the military regime in Yangon for alleged human rights abuses and continued suppression of the prodemocracy movement.
Britain, the host of the next meeting, has said that it does not intend to invite Myanmar to the next ASEM summit in April.
Severino added that there were also more "up front" candidates who had sought membership much earlier, such as Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan, "sometimes Russia is thrown in but one is never sure whether it is in Europe or in Asia".
According to Severino, ASEAN foreign ministers discussed this issue briefly during meetings with their Chinese, Japanese and Korean counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting.
"The question of Myanmar and Laos membership was brought up but we do not have common view on the membership question ... meaning as to who should be admitted," said Severino, who is currently undersecretary for foreign affairs of the Philippines.
Separately, Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said he hopes the issue of his country's membership to ASEM can be settled by next year but would not speculate "whether it would happen or not".
He hoped that by the second ASEM, there can be "an agreement in principle that Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan to be included in the ASEM process."