The ministry`s spokesman, Michael Tene, made the statement on Friday in response to allegations that Indonesia as ASEAN`s chair had failed to use a regional approach to encourage Thailand and Cambodia to discuss their border problem peacefully.
"The fact that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has also been invited to the meeting shows the UN`s appreciation and support for Indonesia`s effort to encourage Thailand and Cambodia to solve their dispute amicably," Michael said adding that Indonesia viewed the upcoming meeting with the UN Security Council next Monday as another approach to create peace in the region.
Minister Natalegawa had recently met with his counterparts from Thailand and Cambodia in order to listen to what the two countries want regarding ways to solve their border dispute. Michael said Natalegawa had gained the impression that both sides were basically willing to solve their dispute peacefully.
Earlier, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan had said "ASEAN Chair`s attendance at the UNSC meeting represents an evolution of ASEAN`s effort to resolve bilateral disputes amongst its member states as provided for by the ASEAN Charter,"
"This is particularly important as it will set a precedent for future ASEAN dispute settlement mechanisms," he added.
In the spirit of the ASEAN Charter, calling for closer and more effective consultations on political and security matters, ASEAN is seeing its Chair personally engaged in offering good offices for the first time in its history.
"Both sides welcome Minister Marty to help in their search for an amicable and peaceful solution to their differences, as ASEAN continues to strengthen its dispute settlement mechanism, in line with the ASEAN Charter," Surin said.
According to Article 52 of the United Nations Charter, collaboration with "regional arrangements" on the maintenance of peace and security is encouraged.
At least eight lives have been lost in clashes between troops of both countries over the weekend near the 900-year old Hindu Temple of Preah Vihear which sits on a disputed border area.
"We at the ASEAN Secretariat stand ready to provide all possible support for the renewed efforts to seek a peaceful and amicable solution to this long-running dispute between our two Member States," Surin concluded.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
