Press Release: MOFA issued a press release

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw issued a press release on 25 October 2021 regarding with the invitation of non-political representative (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to the upcoming ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

The press release said… Myanmar being an ASEAN Member State has the full rights to participate in the upcoming ASEAN Summits and Related Summits to be held from 26 October 2021 to 28 October 2021 as the ASEAN Charter guaranteed equality of all ASEAN Member States and thus an equal level of representation at the ASEAN Meetings in equal footing with the fellow ASEAN Member States.

However, the current ASEAN Chair, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam’s invitation of non-political representative (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to the upcoming ASEAN Summits and Related Summits is not in line with ASEAN Charter, ASEAN procedures and precedent.

Moreover, Myanmar representative is denied equal rights enjoyed by the other ASEAN Member States. Therefore, downgrading the level of participant and limiting his role of discussions in the Summits is contrary to Article 5 of the ASEAN Charter on “Rights and Obligation”.

Therefore, Myanmar has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam that Myanmar can accept the participation of the Head of State or Head of Government or his Ministerial-level representative at the upcoming 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits to be held from 26 October to 28 October 2021.

Myanmar would be pursuing the due processes under the ASEAN Charter and the Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on Dispute Settlement Mechanisms in resolving the differences in Myanmar’s representation at the ASEAN Meetings and differences in interpretation of some relevant provisions of the ASEAN Charter.