KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters). Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah met his counterpart in Myanmar’s National Unity Government, a shadow government outlawed and imposed by the ruling military junta.

Saifuddin posted the details of the meeting in a Twitter post (NYSE:) late Saturday. It was happening on the sidelines of the two-day Summit in Washington between the United States of America and the 10 member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN excluded Myanmar’s leader last year due to a military coup.

Myanmar repeatedly urged countries to not engage with NUG. This group includes members of the former administration and military opposition that the junta calls “terrorists”.

Saifuddin, during an informal meeting between Zin Mar Aung and the NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Anung posted on Twitter that Malaysia was “ready to work towards the restoration of peace and democracy in Myanmar”.

“We used the occasion to exchange views about the latest developments Myanmar. Minister Zin shared insight as well as the challenges faced NUG, such as humanitarian assistance and education for Myanmar refugees.” he stated.

The Myanmar military rulers have not yet responded to requests for comment.

However, the Myanmar Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing reports that engagements were taking place in Washington. It also stated it had sent protest letters to ASEAN countries asking them not to talk to the US opposition government.

Also, the ministry said that it had rejected the paragraph in the 28-page joint statement by ASEAN (USA) and ASEAN. This declaration called for prompt implementation of a 5-point Myanmar-American peace plan.

According to the ministry, the sentence contained language that suggested interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs. It also included references within Myanmar sovereign jurisdiction “including proposals unacceptable which go beyond the Five Point Consensus.”

U.S. Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman stated that she met on Friday with NUG Foreign Ministry Zin to “show support for everyone working to restore Burma to inclusive democracy”.