Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi: Access is Key

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, said access is the key so that humanitarian assistance from ASEAN can reach the Myanmar community in need.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno in a meeting entitled 'Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting' at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Thursday.

Foreign Minister Retno explained, in the meeting, it was discussed how humanitarian assistance for Myanmar could be continued, provided that it reached the people who needed it.

"The ASEAN Secretary General in the meeting reported that so far a commitment of US$27 million has been received for humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, especially for the first phase, namely the life-saving phase", Foreign Minister Retno explained in a press briefing in Jakarta, Thursday, October 27.

She further explained that ASEAN humanitarian assistance was divided into two phases. Phase I: life-saving, still running with a commitment of US$27 million. While Phase II: is life-sustaining, in which the AHA Center must conduct a comprehensive assessment.

"However, this assessment has not been completed completely due to the lack of access from the military junta", she said.

"Access is the key so that humanitarian aid can reach people in need. And this issue will be followed up by the Secretary General of ASEAN and the AHA Center", said Foreign Minister Retno.

She added that this meeting should develop recommendations for next month's summit in Phnom Penh. Recommendations will be formulated, of course, through the Chair and will be consulted with ASEAN member countries.

The consultation process regarding recommendations will continue to be carried out by the Foreign Ministers, which will later be submitted to the leaders of ASEAN countries for consideration.

"Obviously, at the meeting, Indonesia has submitted several elements of recommendations, which can be used as input in the preparation of overall recommendations that will be submitted to the Leaders", said Foreign Minister Retno.

"But it's too early to mention in detail the recommendations. Because once again the task of this meeting is to prepare for next month's summit in Phnom Penh, which includes a special session that will discuss the implementation of the 5PC (Five-Point Consensus)", she concluded.