Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Emphasizes The Importance Of Partnering With ASEAN

JAKARTA - Canada has never doubted the importance of partnerships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (PMC) with Canada in Jakarta, Thursday, July 13.

"Canada is a Pacific country, and we are committed to being a consistent and reliable partner for ASEAN and its members," Melanie said as quoted by Antara.

He reminded that the PMC and Canada meeting was currently held amid geopolitical turmoil and an uncertain global situation in which an international regulatory system that guarantees the survival of the global community is facing many challenges.

Climate change poses a threat to people around the world, political economic security and the humanitarian crisis are growing, the number of civilian casualties is increasing, and threats to regional security are also increasing, he continued.

These challenges, according to him, make the partnership between Canada and ASEAN even more important.

Melanie also expressed her country's support for ASEAN's centrality and Indonesia's leadership in this year's ASEAN, in responding to the Myanmar crisis.

"We support efforts to create peace and democracy in Myanmar and long-term solutions for young refugees," he said.

Violence perpetrated by the military, he said, must be stopped immediately and humanitarian aid must also be able to reach the people in need.

Melanie also encourages cooperation to strengthen international rules and laws that apply to all things because of other challenges such as global climate change and increasing food insecurity with ASEAN. A collaboration that is not limited by regional boundaries.