Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa is scheduled to visit Rakhine, Myanmar, on January 7-8, at the invitation of the Myanmar government, as a follow-up on the bilateral meeting between the two countries` presidents.

"During his two-day visit, Marty will discuss with Myanmar officials several political issues, as well as humanitarian assistance and the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in areas affected by communal conflicts," the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press statement here on Monday.

Marty will visit conflict-hit areas in Rakhine, such as Kyauktaw, Maunday, Pauktaw and Sittwe.

The minister and his counterpart will also discuss efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the economic sector.

Marty will also hold meetings with Myanmar's Border Minister, Thein Htay, and Rakhine Chief Minister Hla Maung Tin.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Myanmar President Thein Sein held a bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November last year, on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN Summit.

On January 4, Minister Marty told the press that he would visit Myanmar at the invitation of President Thein Sein.

"I will observe the situation in Rakhine directly. I will observe the condition of not only the Rohingya Muslims but also other ethnic groups in the province. I will try to see what is really happening there and find out what the real problem is," the foreign minister explained.

"After the conflict in June 2012, the quality of life of the Rohingya ethnic group has been badly affected, particularly because they have no source of income. Therefore, they need assistance," Marty noted.

He said Indonesia would provide assistance worth US$1 million to the victims of the conflict.

The Rohingya Muslims suffered the most in the wake of the conflict. Many of them were forced to leave their homeland because the Myanmarese government did not recognise them as citizens of the state.

(F001/INE )


Editor: Maryati
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