Jokowi Invites ASEAN-Japan Partnerships To Solve Myanmar Conflict

President Joko Widodo while attending the 50th Anniversary Summit for Friendship Relations and ASEAN-Japan Cooperation in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday (17/12/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized the importance of partnerships between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan to maintain stability and peace in the region. In the 50th Anniversary of the Friendship Relations and Cooperation of ASEAN-Japan in Tokyo, Sunday, he highlighted ASEAN's potential as the center of world's economic growth with a growth capital of 4.5 percent which makes it globally highest and the third largest population in the world, for which half of its population is under 30 years old. "However, such modalities would be futile if stability and peace were not maintained, so the ASEAN'Japan partnership should be part of a solution to maintain stability and peace," Jokowi said in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Sunday 17 December. On that occasion, the President conveyed three ways to maintain stability and peace. First, he explained the importance of inclusive collaboration, considering that ASEAN wants an Indo-Pacific region to be seen as a potential of cooperation that supports peace. "Therefore, ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and other inclusive collaboration initiatives need to be continuously encouraged. I welcome the plan of the Trilateral Mechanism Summit between Japan, China, and South Korea as a manifestation of the habit of dialogue that needs to be continuously fostered," he said. The second way is respect to international law rules. President Jokowi called humanitarian tragedy in Palestine and conflict in Ukraine is an unobservation of international law. "We must prevent open conflicts in the region by complying with international laws and rules, including UNCLOS 1982, and regional norms," Jokowi said. The third way is to strengthen ASEAN centrality as an anchor of peace and stability of the region that has been tested and must be maintained. Therefore, Japanese support as ASEAN partners continues to be needed, including in resolving the Myanmar issue through implementing the troika mechanism.

The President also believes that joint efforts between ASEAN and Japan can achieve a common goal towards security, stability, and shared welfare in the region. "Let's continue to strengthen collaboration and cooperation for the prosperity and welfare of our people," said President Jokowi.