VIENTIANE. Dee I I The European Union and ASEAN kicked off their first ministerial talks in more than three years today, with the atmosphere soured by the issue of Myanmar and the failure of senior European ministers to turn up. says Reuters.

Security concerns also hung over the meeting after a mysterious blast was heard in the sleepy Lao capital Vientiane on Sunday evening. Diplomats said il was not known what had caused the blast, which resulted in no damage or casualties.

Vientiane has been shaken by a scries of unexplained bomb attacks (his year which have killed at least one person and wounded several. Nobody has claimed responsibility.

Foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations arc attending the talks in Vientiane, but the Europeans are represented mainly bv junior ministers.

The official excuse was that (hr crucial EU summit in Nice.

wide!) has dragged on well past its scheduled conclusion, prevented senior ministers from attending.

But the turnout also illustrated the chilly relations between the two blocs since ASEAN controversially admitted Myanmar in 1997. shortly before the region was battered by an economic crisis that also sapped Its political clout.

Gerard Depayre. leader of (he European Commission’s delegation to the summit. Insisted that the EU’s level of representation was not Intended as a snub to ASEAN.

“There is the unfortunate coincidence with the Nice summit... but behind (he level of representation 1 can assure you there Is no hidden motive or intention." Depayre said.

At a colourful o|>ening ceremony. alter ministers were sprinkled with petals by women In traditional dress. Lao Prime Minister Sisaval Keobounphan said In a speech that the meeting would inject new life into relations between the two blocs.

I am convinced that this meeting will be conducted In a spirit of amity and mutual understanding. and will be made a brilliant success for the common benefits of peace and cooperation for the well-being and prosperity of our regions.

Depayre (old reporters that while the El I remained deeply concerned about human rights violations in Mvanmar. this should not be allowed to mi-dermine relations-wlth ASEAN.

The meeting in Laos marks the first ministerial talks between Ihe two sides since Myanmar joined ASEAN.

Regarding Myanmar, there has been no weakening ol the EU position." he said

"On the other hand, after three years of Interruption, we considered that we should not hold our very Important relationship with ASEAN hostage lo the situation In one country."

But Myanmar is likely to be at the top ol the agenda of the meeting, officials say.

Senior officials from the two blocs met at the weekend to fry

to hammer out agreement on some contentious points In the communique to be issued when (he meeting concludes on Tuesday.

Officials said there was some disagreement over how the communique should deal with the issues of human rights. Myanmar, the internal stability of Indonesia and the need for a new lound of WTO talks.

They said Ihe communique was likely to recognise the need for'dialogue between Myanmar's military government and the opposition. and a visit to Myanmar in January by an EU troika was under discussion.

Myanmar's opposition National League lor Democracy won elections in 1990 by a landslide but has never been allowed to govern Its leader. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. has been under de facto house arrest for nearly three months.

Armed Lao police were posted al Intersections

throughout Vientiane as the meeting got under way.