As Chair Of ASEAN, Indonesia Continues To Bridge Peace Over Conflicts In Myanmar

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that Indonesia, as the chairman of the ASEAN Summit, continues to bridge to end differences in views and conflicts in Myanmar.

"We (Indonesia) open the widest possible engagement (two-way communication) as the Chair (ASEAN) so that we listen to their views and try to bridge the differences in position," said Foreign Minister Retno when asked about Indonesia's contribution to the ASEAN chairmanship regarding the conflict in Myanmar.

This was conveyed by Retno after attending a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo discussing preparations for holding the ASEAN Summit, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Thursday, April 27.

Retno said the conflict in Myanmar was not easy, but Indonesia as the holder of ASEAN chairman would continue to try to build communication.

He revealed that the communication efforts built by Indonesia in chairing ASEAN include communicating with the Myanmar military, with the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), as well as with the Ethnic Armed Groups and with several political parties there.

As decided by the previous summit, said Retno, Myanmar will be invited to the ASEAN 2023 Summit at a non-political critical level due to the conflict that is still happening in the country.

He also said that at the ASEAN Summit there would be two meeting sessions, namely plenary sessions and treatment sessions.

In the retreat session, he said, it will be discussed regarding the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

The Five-Point consensus is the decision of ASEAN leaders through a special meeting, which was also attended by Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, to help Myanmar overcome its political crisis.

The Five-Point Consensus calls for an end to violence, dialogue with all stakeholders, appoints special envoys to facilitate mediation and dialogue, allows ASEAN to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar citizens, and allows ASEAN special envoys to visit and meet with stakeholders in Myanmar.

According to Retno, during the treatment session, the leaders of ASEAN countries will review the Five Consensus Points.

He further emphasized that according to President Joko Widodo's direction, this year's ASEAN Summit will discuss Myanmar's problems, but ASEAN's priorities remain related to how efforts to accelerate the development of the ASEAN Community whose benefits are always asked by the ASEAN community.

"So what are the benefits of ASEAN matters for its people, this must be answered by the ASEAN leader," said Retno.

The peak of the ASEAN Summit will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, May 10-11, 2023. Various preparations for the venue for the event have been carried out by the government.

President Joko Widodo some time ago also briefly visited the locations that will be the venue for the ASEAN Summit. According to Foreign Minister Retno, all preparations related to the ASEAN Summit are on the right track.