PHNOM PENH: The ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, said in response to a question from EAC News, that Myanmar leaders could be invited back to the ASEAN Summit later this year if significant progress is made in implementing the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.

Speaking at a press conference on the ASEAN Special Envoy’s visit to Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn said that unless there is significant progress made in the ASEAN Five-Point consensus, Myanmar will only be able to attend the ASEAN Summit later this year with a non-political delegation.

He said, "The decency of the progress made, however, is up to the [ASEAN] foreign minister to assess, but if enough progress is made in reducing the violence — I would also like to call on the Myanmar administration to call on all parties to a ceasefire, to advance humanitarian distribution and to make progress on meeting with all stakeholders — I believe that all ASEAN member states will welcome Myanmar back to the ASEAN family."

He added, "Another point, which is not stated in the Five-Point consensus, is that if some political prisoners are released to ease the tense situation, it will definitely be a positive political message for ASEAN members to consider.”

Previously, ASEAN member states have firmly said that unless there is progress made on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, Myanmar will have to have non-political representatives at the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

However, there have also been some diverging opinions on this matter, as the absence of an unconstitutional Myanmar representative would mean also mean that ASEAN is nine, and not the family of 10 it often prides itself for.

Cambodia itself has stated wishing to maintain and strengthen ASEAN's existing capabilities, especially in the context of growing global competition from major powers, and Cambodia sees the decision of keeping ASEAN as a unified 10 to be very important.

The ASEAN Special Envoy, Prak Sokhonn, reiterated, "That's why I, and three or four other countries, almost half of ASEAN, believe we should have the Myanmar leader, Min Aung Hlaing, representing Myanmar at the summit. At last year's meeting, which was chaired by Brunei, as there was no consensus, last year's ASEAN chair decided to invite only non-political representatives to the summit. Because Myanmar thought that this level of participation was not suitable for them, they decided not to participate at all, and we considered it as Myanmar waiving the right to attend the 38th and 39th summits. But we also agreed to maintain online video connection at ASEAN meetings."

The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus was agreed upon by ASEAN member states in April 2021 in Indonesia. The five points entail: ending the violence, organizing constructive dialogue among stakeholders, sending humanitarian aid into Myanmar, appointing special envoys to facilitate talks, and allowing special envoys to enter the country.