If Myanmar was invited back to ASEAN, it would open “a pathway for normalisation of relations with others, including western countries that have remained opposed to the military regime”, said Myanmar specialist Morgan Michaels.
But it had already secured recognition from India, China, Russia and Thailand, making restored ties with the regional grouping a “nice to have” rather than essential, he said.
Independent Myanmar analyst David Mathieson told AFP that Myanmar’s campaign for re-entry into ASEAN was a matter of “pure status” for Min Aung Hlaing.
Myanmar’s leaders have refused to buy into the bloc’s so-called “five-point consensus” to end hostilities through dialogue with all sides.
“He wants to be seen as a responsible member of ASEAN in one way, then paradoxically to totally reject the five-point consensus,” said Mathieson.
