Malaysia is criticizing the EU for canceling meetings with Asian economic and finance ministers because of their desire that Myanmar's military junta be included, calling the decision counterproductive.
Malaysia is one of Myanmar's strongest supporters and helped it gain membership to the 10-member ASEAN.
But the EU last week balked at letting Myanmar join the Asia-Europe Meeting, or ASEM -- an informal, 8-year-old economic and political forum designed as a counterweight to the US' strong ties with Asia.
Asian nations have threatened to retaliate by blocking the EU's 10 newest members from the forum.
The dispute led to last week's decision by the EU to cancel two upcoming meetings with Asian finance and economics ministers, casting doubt on an ASEM summit scheduled for October in Vietnam.
The EU has long complained about Myanmar's crackdown on pro-democracy forces, which won elections in 1990 but were blocked from taking power by the junta. It has imposed a travel ban on the country's military and frozen their financial assets in Europe.
The EU has demanded that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi be freed and her National League for Democracy party be given a role in drafting a constitution.
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