A MYANMAR delegation led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint attended the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 27 and 28.

Representatives from the 10 ASEAN member countries, 27 EU countries and the European Commission were also present on the occasion.

At the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Kantathi Suphamongkhon voiced his concern about the trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and stressed the need to forge national reconciliation in Myanmar.

But U Maung Myint said the matter had already been discussed at the ASEAN ministers meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from May 25 to 26.

“It is assumed that the matter no longer needs to be put on the agenda of the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting again,” U Maung Myint was quoted as saying by the state-run New Light of Myanmar.

“Each and every nation has its own internal problems. Taking action against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her offence is a matter of internal legal proceedings. As Myanmar is a sovereign nation, it is not fair and proper to interfere in its internal affairs.”

He also said that Thailand had its own work to do to forge national reconciliation. He was referring to a series of demonstrations in the past year that saw various political factions attempt to oust the Thai government and disrupt ASEAN summits.

After the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, matters were coordinated to issue a joint communiqué.