ASEAN Plans Virtual Attendance for Myanmar Diplomat in July Sideline Event
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is planning to allow Myanmar's top diplomat to virtually attend a sideline event during the bloc's foreign ministerial meeting in July 2026. This decision marks a potential shift in ASEAN's approach, as the group has barred Myanmar's leaders from main meetings since the military coup in February 2021. The move coincides with the establishment of a new government in Myanmar led by former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. While Thailand proposed full participation for Myanmar in the upcoming July meeting, Singapore opposed in-person attendance at the main session. Consequently, a compromise was reached allowing virtual participation in a specific sideline discussion focused on Myanmar's issues, with no objections raised by member states. The announcement came during the ASEAN summit in Cebu, Philippines, where leaders also addressed maritime cooperation and regional energy security concerns stemming from recent U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The Philippines, currently holding the ASEAN rotating chairmanship, facilitated the discussion through its foreign secretary, who also serves as the special envoy on Myanmar.
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ASEAN Plans Virtual Attendance for Myanmar Diplomat in July Sideline Event
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is planning to allow Myanmar's top diplomat to virtually attend a sideline event during the bloc's foreign ministerial meeting in July 2026. This decision marks a potential shift in ASEAN's approach, as the group has barred Myanmar's leaders from main meetings since the military coup in February 2021. The move coincides with the establishment of a new government in Myanmar led by former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. While Thailand proposed full participation for Myanmar in the upcoming July meeting, Singapore opposed in-person attendance at the main session. Consequently, a compromise was reached allowing virtual participation in a specific sideline discussion focused on Myanmar's issues, with no objections raised by member states. The announcement came during the ASEAN summit in Cebu, Philippines, where leaders also addressed maritime cooperation and regional energy security concerns stemming from recent U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The Philippines, currently holding the ASEAN rotating chairmanship, facilitated the discussion through its foreign secretary, who also serves as the special envoy on Myanmar.
The Mainichi