PHNOM PENH: Singapore Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, has expressed regret that the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for 18-19 January in Siem Reap, has been postponed, however he showed support for Cambodia's efforts to be positive on the issues in Myanmar.

Cambodian Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhon, said after a telephone conversation with the Singaporean Foreign Minister on Thursday afternoon that he had a frank conversation with Vivian Balakrishnan in support of Cambodia's efforts to communicate with all stakeholders to fully and timely implement the five-point consensus.

However, during the call the Singaporean foreign minister expressed regret over the postponement of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which did not go as planned. The planned meeting was postponed because it is difficult for many ASEAN Foreign Ministers to travel to the meeting.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the decision to postpone the meeting did not affect the work of the ASEAN ministers, nor did it affect the position and role of the ASEAN Special Envoy Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhon.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon had said that his role as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar would be formally announced during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. However, so far it has not been confirmed when the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be rescheduled.

The ASEAN Ministerial Retreat (AMM Retreat) was established in 1967 to be responsible for ASEAN political-security cooperation as well as ASEAN's relations with external parties within ASEAN.

The AMM meets at least four times a year and may convene special meetings when necessary to discuss issues that need urgent attention from ASEAN. The AMM regularly reviews and discusses efforts to build the ASEAN Community, its strategic future direction, and the conduct of ASEAN external relations.