A row over Burma between Asia and Europe loomed yesterday, with Malaysian premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad threatening that ASEAN countries may boycott a summit in London in April. Dr Mahathir said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations may boycott the Asia-Europe Meeting if the European Union barred Burma - which joined the Asian grouping in July - from attending. 'If there is discrimination against Myanmar [Burma], it is a discrimination against ASEAN,' Dr Mahathir said. 'You may find other countries in ASEAN also deciding not to attend.' In Singapore on Monday, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook ruled out Burma's participation in the meeting because of EU sanctions against the ruling military junta. Singapore said yesterday, however, that Burma's presence at the meeting 'does not arise' because no consensus had been reached on new participants. The meeting in London, involving ASEAN members, China, Japan and South Korea and the 15 members of the EU, had been seen as an important opportunity for the two regions to strengthen their relations and discuss new collaborative areas. It was intended to build upon the foundations established at the first such meeting in Bangkok last year. Mr Cook said a common European position not to grant visas to Burmese ministers would make it impossible for Burma to be included 'in the Asia-Europe Meeting next year.' He denounced Burma's military junta as a 'deeply repressive' and 'deeply irresponsible' regime and repeated the charge he had made earlier in Kuala Lumpur that it connived with the country's drug barons. Dr Mahathir said the EU had no right to bar Burma. While Malaysia will need the support of the other eight members of ASEAN to impose a boycott, Dr Mahathir's significant influence within the organisation and the respect he commands will put him in a strong position to get his way. He spoke out against Western efforts to dissuade ASEAN from admitting Burma as a member of the organisation. As host of ASEAN's activities this year, including the meeting of government heads in Kuala Lumpur in December, Malaysia can to some extent set the agenda for next year. Additionally, the ASEAN tradition of reaching decisions by consensus allows a determined member to steer the organisation in a particular direction. The EU has been making increased efforts over the past two years to develop closer relations with ASEAN members, which has included the setting up of information centres in main cities.