ASEAN aims to widen focus beyond Myanmar at summits

Significance

This is in response to what some ASEAN members regard as obstructionism towards the bloc’s five-point plan for resolving Myanmar’s post-coup tensions. Min Aung Hlaing will miss the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) as well as the ASEAN meetings.

Impacts

• Myanmar’s anti-junta National Unity Government (NUG) will increasingly press for talks with ASEAN.
• Calls to recognise the NUG, which the European Parliament voted to do on October 7, will grow louder in Western countries.
• ASEAN pressure on Myanmar’s junta will slacken in 2022, when Cambodia assumes the bloc’s chairmanship from Brunei.