Encouraging The Implementation Of The 5-Point Consensus On Myanmar: Indonesia Meets Various Special Envoys, Supported By The UN Security Council

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesia continues to strive to encourage the implementation of the Five Point Consensus (5PC) related to problems in Myanmar, during the first three months of serving as ASEAN chairmanship, said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Foreign Minister Retno explained that ASEAN member countries agreed to strengthen the solidity of their position in dealing with the Myanmar issue, as agreed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat meeting.

Related to ASEAN chairmanship, he continued, Indonesia has conducted engagements with various stakeholders, with the aim of encouraging an inclusive national dialogue.

"These engagements, engagement with various stakeholders, are carried out in accordance with the 5PC mandate," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 5.

"In terms of the number of engagements, the engagements carried out during Indonesia's chairmanship have been carried out very intensively," she continued.

He further explained, for the first time the Chair of ASEAN had also held meetings with a number of special envoys, including special envoys from the UN Secretary-General, special envoys from neighboring countries Myanmar and also special envoys from other countries.

"Why is this being done? The main objective is to encourage coordination and synergy while continuing to strengthen ASEAN's centrality," she explained.

Foreign Minister Retno said, from the meeting with all the delegates, the support for Indonesia's chairmanship, the centrality of ASEAN, and the 5PC seemed very strong. Support also came from the UN Security Council.

"In the closed meeting of the UN Security Council, it was clear that Indonesia's strong support for chairmanship, ASEAN centrality, and the 5PCs was clear," said Foreign Minister Retno, where at the closed meeting on March 13, Indonesia reported developments regarding Myanmar, especially regarding the implementation of the 5PCs.

She added that Indonesia had also facilitated the reopening of communication and consultation with various stakeholders, so that the AHA Center could distribute humanitarian assistance to people who needed it, regardless of ethnic background, religion, and political orientation.

"With Indonesia's facilitation, the AHA Center has succeeded in conducting consultations with several stakeholders which previously could not be done," she said.

She added that consultations to reach more stakeholders were still needed while starting to prepare for the delivery of the humanitarian aid.