President Reaffirms Myanmar's Situation Must Not Disturb ASEAN Cooperation

President Jokowi/PHOTO via Instagram @jokowi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed that the situation in Myanmar should not interfere with ASEAN's travel or cooperation.

"In the retreat session of the 41st ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi gave a very strong message that the situation in Myanmar should not interfere with ASEAN's journey or ASEAN cooperation because once again ASEAN needs to continue moving forward", Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, November 11.

In the ASEAN Summit retreat session, Foreign Minister Retno continued, the issue of Myanmar and issues related to international relations were discussed. However, ASEAN leaders are more focused on discussing the Myanmar situation.

“The president conveyed his statement that Indonesia is very disappointed with the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. Then there is no significant progress from the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and we at the same time do not see any commitment from the Myanmar military junta to implement it", said Foreign Minister Retno.

In the ASEAN Summit retreat session, he continued, the President also conveyed the importance of ending the use of violence in Myanmar as soon as possible.

"The president also at the meeting encouraged ASEAN to immediately engage with all stakeholders", said Foreign Minister Retno.

In addition, Indonesia has made a strong commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar.

“So once again the situation in Myanmar was reviewed by the leaders and a 15-point decision came out, which the ASEAN chair might soon issue. So I don't have the right to issue because I respect the ASEAN chair.

There are 15 paragraphs/points and the decision was negotiated for days in the last two days, yesterday and today the ASEAN Foreign Ministers directly negotiated, the negotiations were not at the SOM level but were directly carried out by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers. And even during the retreat session of the Summit, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers continued to consult with each other", he explained.

The decision, Foreign Minister Retno continued, must understand that this is a very strong message.

“This is a warning from ASEAN. If the situation does not improve, if there is no good progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, then ASEAN can implement decisions on non-political representation from Myanmar", she said.

Decisions on non-political representation from Myanmar must also be enforced in addition to the ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meetings.

“So once again this is a warning from ASEAN leaders if there is no progress from Myanmar. ASEAN is committed to continuing to help Myanmar such as humanitarian aid. Indonesia and ASEAN are ready to facilitate an inclusive national dialogue based on the Five-Point Consensus", said Foreign Minister Retno.