BALI - The Philippines has thrown its full support behind Myanmar’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by 2014, saying it is “theirs by right” as the issue was already settled as early as the 2006 ASEAN Summit.
Despite concerns raised by some dialog partners of the 10-member bloc over the proposed chairmanship, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio said Myanmar "is ready” to steer ASEAN.
Myanmar will also replace the Philippines as coordinator of the ASEAN-US Summit next year, Basilio said.
“As early as 2006, there was a gentleman’s agreement that as soon as Myanmar is ready to chair the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, it is theirs by right. We are just fulfilling our promise because they said they are now ready,” she said.
“No one among the Asean members will oppose this, and I don’t think anyone (of our dialog partners) will interfere,” Basilio added.
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Note: Amid opposition from human rights groups in the region.
