Being Initiative To Create An ASEAN Leaders' Meeting, President Joko Widodo Wants To Find A Solution To Myanmar's Problem

The President of the Republic of Indonesia Jokowi attended the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting to find a solution to the Myanmar problem. (ANTARA / HO-Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting (ALM) at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Saturday 24 April. The meeting discussed the importance of finding the best solution to the crisis in Myanmar.

President Jokowi arrived at the location at around 13.12 p.m. local time which was greeted directly by the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi.

After taking pictures and filling in the arrival guest book, the President and the leaders or representatives of ASEAN countries headed to the meeting room at the Bali Lounge, ASEAN Secretariat, to participate in the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting (ALM). This time ALM consists of three segments, namely ASEAN community development, ASEAN external relations, and regional and international issues.

In the first and second segments, President Jokowi will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Director General of ASEAN Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sidharto R. Suryodipuro. Furthermore, in the third segment, the President is only accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A number of leaders of ASEAN countries attended at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Hassanal Bolkiah, as Chair of ASEAN.

For information, this ALM is an initiative of Indonesia and is a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's talks with the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam as Chair of ASEAN regarding the resolution of the Myanmar situation.

It is hoped that the ALM will reach an agreement, especially regarding steps that are good for the people of Myanmar and help Myanmar get out of the current situation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi in his statement on Friday (23/4) stated that the holding of the meeting would be the first direct physical meeting of ASEAN leaders during this pandemic period by maintaining strict health protocols. This illustrates the seriousness and determination of the ASEAN leaders to help Myanmar.

"The commitment of the leaders to meet physically is a reflection of ASEAN's deep concern over the situation in Myanmar and ASEAN's determination to help Myanmar get out of this crisis", he said.