Jakarta (ANTARA) - A member of the European Parliament has said that the European Union (EU) supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s efforts to solve the Myanmar crisis.

"We hope that this effort will bear fruit so that Myanmar is able to exit from the political crisis. The military junta should implement the five-point consensus (5PC)," David McAllister told the press in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Three of the five points in question are an immediate end to violence in Myanmar, a dialogue between all relevant parties, and ASEAN's distribution of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.

Two other points are the appointment of the ASEAN special envoy for Myanmar and the envoy's visit to Myanmar to meet all parties.

ASEAN has agreed to support Indonesia, this year's rotating chair, in its effort to push for the implementation of the five-point framework.

Meanwhile, McAllister noted that ASEAN is the EU's third largest trading partner after the United States and China.

He added that European companies are the second largest investors in ASEAN countries.

Last year, the European Investment Bank (EIB) opened a representative office in Jakarta in an effort to increase activities in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region.

"EIB prioritizes financing for climate action, urban transport, health care, energy security, and sustainable infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia," McAllister explained.

"The EU is also supporting ASEAN, and in particular Indonesia, in implementing a shift to greener and cleaner energy," he said.

ASEAN, which was founded in 1967, has 10 member countries. They are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

In November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia together with the EU and the International Partners Group (IPG) launched the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) of 20 billion euros (around Rp323 billion).

JETP for Indonesia aims to achieve a fair energy transition for workers and society, especially those who are most affected by the energy transition from coal, as well as to carry out efforts to develop renewable energy.

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Translator: Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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