ASEAN chair Brunei says Myanmar should be given space to return to normalcy

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - Myanmar should be given space to return to normalcy in line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) principle of non-interference, the bloc's chair Brunei said on Tuesday.

ASEAN leaders kicked off a series of regional meetings on Tuesday without a representative from Myanmar, following its top general's exclusion for ignoring a peace roadmap agreed six months ago.

Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah "reaffirmed that Myanmar is a part of the ASEAN family and, with respect to the principle of non-interference, it is important to give Myanmar space to return to normalcy," an ASEAN statement said.