Asean urges Myanmar to follow democracy roadmap: Thai PM
Southeast Asian leaders urged Myanmar's junta to follow its so-called roadmap to democracy during an "open" discussion with the country's prime minister, Thailand's premier said Sunday.
The annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit was marred on Saturday when Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein blocked a rights activist from attending a meeting with the bloc's leaders.
Myanmar has long been a headache for Asean, which faces persistent criticism that it has failed to use its influence to persuade the military-ruled nation to introduce reform and free political prisoners.
"We had an open discussion on Myanmar where the prime minister of Myanmar briefed us on developments," Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, who holds the rotating chairmanship of Asean, told a press conference.
"Asean leaders encouraged him to continue cooperation with the United Nations and to make sure that the roadmap continues according to plan," Abhisit said.
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