"Myanma Military Regime Agrees to ASEAN-Su Chi NLD Meeting"

ASEAN Chair Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It has been reported that the Myanmar military government has agreed to meet with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) special envoy and officials from the National League for Democracy (NLD), which was led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to major foreign media on the 8th, Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military, agreed to this during a video call with Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia and ASEAN Chair, on the 26th of last month.

Commander-in-Chief Hlaing reportedly did not specify which NLD politicians he would meet with the ASEAN special envoy. However, the possibility of State Counsellor Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest by the military government, meeting with the ASEAN special envoy is considered slim.

Kao Kim Hourn, Special Minister attached to the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Office, said, "The ASEAN special envoy’s visits will not be limited to just one time but can continue," adding, "It is important that State Counsellor Suu Kyi participates in future (dialogues)."

Earlier, in April last year, ASEAN held a special summit and agreed on five points for the peaceful resolution of the Myanmar bloodshed, including immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue, and visits by the ASEAN special envoy.

The Myanmar military government continued its violent crackdown while opposing the ASEAN special envoy’s meetings with the NLD and other opposition groups. In response, ASEAN took a tough stance, including refusing to allow Commander-in-Chief Hlaing to attend the summit held from October 26 to 28 last year.

This year, Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, has shown a friendly attitude toward the Myanmar military government. Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed a position not to exclude military government officials from events. Hun Sen visited Myanmar for two days on the 7th of last month and met with Commander-in-Chief Hlaing, which sparked backlash from major member countries.

Cambodia had intended to invite the foreign minister appointed by the military government to the ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat (an informal free discussion) scheduled for the 16th to 17th, but ultimately decided to invite a non-political figure due to opposition from member countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.