Cambodian PM Says Myanmar Junta has Right to Attend ASEAN
Myanmar's standing as a member of the 10-country ASEAN has been thrown into the spotlight by a Feb. 1 coup, with military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing not invited to the annual summit of group leaders in October hosted by Brunei after members failed to reach a consensus.
But Hun Sen suggested on Monday that while Cambodia is the host of the regional bloc for the next year, all 10 members would be represented.
"It's a family member of ASEAN, they must have the rights to attend meetings," he said in comments during an inauguration ceremony for a Chinese-funded construction project.
Myanmar's military-appointed foreign minister is to visit Cambodia on Tuesday, and Hun Sen said in his remarks he would likely visit Myanmar soon.
“There is a strong possibility I will visit Naypyidaw to meet General Min Aung Hlaing to work with him. If I don’t work with the leadership, whom can I work with?" Hun Sen said.
Hun Sen referred to ASEAN's long-held convention of not interfering in each other's internal affairs, adding: "Under the ASEAN charter, no one has the rights to expel another member.”
Myanmar has been in crisis since Min Aung Hlaing overthrew a civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1.