ASEAN did not invite Min Anglai to attend the ASEAN summit, Myanmar: the United States and the European Union interfere in ASEAN member states
[Global Times Comprehensive Report]The Burmese caretaker government issued a statement on the 17th, expressing its dissatisfaction with ASEAN not inviting Myanmar’s caretaker government Prime Minister Min Aung Lai to attend the upcoming ASEAN summit. A spokesman for the Burmese caretaker government previously stated that the US and the European Union intervened in ASEAN member states that led to ASEAN’s decision.
In the statement, the Burmese caretaker government expressed extreme disappointment and strong opposition to the decision made by ASEAN, saying that the decision is not the consensus of all ASEAN member states, nor does it conform to the purposes and principles of ASEAN. ASEAN issued a statement a few days ago saying that because member states could not agree on the issue of inviting Myanmar politicians to attend the summit, the organization would invite a Myanmar non-politician to attend the ASEAN summit. This means that Myanmar’s caretaker government Prime Minister Min Aung Lai cannot attend this summit.
ASEAN will hold a summit from the 26th to the 28th of this month. The United States interpreted the ASEAN decision as Myanmar being “downgraded” at the ASEAN summit. A US State Department official said that ASEAN’s move was “completely justified.” CNN commented that ASEAN, which has always emphasized consensus, supported communication and non-interference policies, has taken a “rare and brave step” towards Myanmar. However, some ASEAN countries suggested that the organization give Myanmar room to restore internal affairs and return to normalcy. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia stated that the Myanmar caretaker government will decide the alternate representatives to attend the summit. “We have never thought of removing Myanmar from ASEAN. We believe that Myanmar has the same rights (and we).”