It is an ASEAN high-level decision that must be respected by all parties.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed that all stakeholders must prioritize the safety and welfare of people of Myanmar in solving the country's issues.

"Hence, the disbursal of humanitarian assistance should be encouraged and provided without discrimination," the Indonesian president remarked after attending the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in Bintan District, Riau Islands Province, on Tuesday.

Jokowi noted that both government heads were highly concerned about developments in the situation in Myanmar.

“Both Indonesia and Singapore see the importance of the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. It is an ASEAN high-level decision that must be respected by all parties," he stated.

In addition to Myanmar’s issue, President Jokowi and Prime Minister Lee discussed other regional issues.

"We also assess that strengthening ASEAN’s unity, working methods, and institutions is important to prepare the bloc to face various challenges in future," Jokowi stated.

Earlier, he had also emphasized the importance of implementing the consensus during a call with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on handling the Myanmar crisis had been agreed at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta on April 24, 2021.

It includes a call for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and full restraint from all parties.

Furthermore, it advocates constructive dialog among all related parties for seeking a peaceful solution in keeping with the best interests of the Myanmar people.

The consensus also mandates the special envoy of the ASEAN chairman to facilitate the mediation of a dialog with assistance of the ASEAN Secretary General.

As per the consensus, the regional organization will provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre, and the ASEAN special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet all relevant parties.

Meanwhile, at the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat, the two countries also agreed on several agreements regarding extradition, Flight Information Region (FIR), and defense cooperation establishment.


Translator: Desca Natalia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022