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.