Call The Joint Ball In The Military Hand, Foreign Minister Retno: Myanmar's Situation Must Not Hamper ASEAN Development

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

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that despite the disappointment regarding the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, developments in Myanmar should not hinder ASEAN's development, with the ball currently in the hands of the country's military.

This was said by Foreign Minister Retno ahead of the 40th and 41th ASEAN Summit which was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 10-13 which was held in the form of a plenary and retreat.

Foreign Minister Retno explained that in the treatment session, ASEAN leaders are expected to take a stand in responding to the situation in Myanmar. Especially the absence of a commitment from the Myanmar military in following up on the Five-Point Consensus

"ASEAN has taken extra steps, the results will only be seen if there is a myanmar military commitment to follow up on the Five-Point Consensus," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from Cambodia, as quoted on Thursday, November 9.

"The ball is entirely in the hands of the Myanmar military," he said.

Apart from ASEAN's disappointment regarding the absence of the Five-Point Consensus progress by the Myanmar military, Foreign Minister Retno believes ASEAN will continue to give priority to helping the Myanmar people, including through humanitarian assistance.

"The situation in Myanmar must not hinder ASEAN's development," said Foreign Minister Retno.

He said the meeting of ASEAN leaders discussing Myanmar's issues would be held on November 11 tomorrow.

Previously, in a meeting entitled 'Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting' at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta at the end of last month, Foreign Minister Retno said the ASEAN foreign minister expressed disappointment regarding the absence of progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.

"Instead of progress, the situation is even said to be deteriorating, it is unfortunate. The Five-Point Consensus is the decision of the ASEAN leader, in which General Min Aung Hlaing was also present, to help overcome the crisis," Foreign Minister Retno said in a press statement on 27 October.

In addition to the Myanmar issue, the retreat will also discuss ASEA's relations with outsiders, including the challenges faced. As for the plenary, it will discuss strengthening the capacity of ASEAN institutions and the effectiveness of ASEAN.

Foreign Minister Retno and a limited entourage are in Cambodia to accompany President Joko Widodo during the summit. In Cambodia, President Jokowi will attend more than 20 meetings, including four bilateral meetings with Singaporean PMs, the President of the European Council, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the ADB.