"It is true that it is an internal affair of Thailand, but ASEAN is a caring and sharing community," Yudhyono remarked at a press conference with Indonesian journalists here on Saturday.
The President stressed that the new ASEAN Charter made it obligatory for members to respect democratic values and human rights.
"In view of that, I believe that ASEAN should take a stance and then initiate steps for the best interests of the Thai nation and in turn for ASEAN," the head of state reiterated.
On the occasion, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also expressed concern over the military coup in Thailand.
"Frankly speaking, Indonesia is concerned because a military coup is not democratic. I have to be firm, clear, and frank that although, it is an internal affair of Thailand, Indonesia is concerned about it," Yudhoyono confessed.
He further added that Indonesia hopes that democratic values are implemented in Thailand in line with the spirit of the new ASEAN Charter.
Two days ago, President Yudhoyono through Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa called on the military in Thailand to cooperate with other parties so that a peaceful and democratic solution can be reached, which will benefit the people of Thailand.
"Certainly, the developments have occurred very fast, and a coup has happened, and frankly speaking, Indonesia is concerned," he affirmed.
The President and his entourage left Manila for Jakarta on Saturday after a two-day working visit to the Philippines, which also included attending the World Economic Forum on East Asia.
President Yudhoyono had held a meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Benigno S. Aquino III at the Malacanang Palace.
The one-on-one conversation between the two leaders was followed up with a bilateral meeting between the delegations from Indonesia and the Philippines.
At the Malacanang Palace, several agreements were signed including the delimitation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs) bordering the two countries being signed in the presence of the two presidents.
The agreements were inked by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Philippine counterpart, Albert F. Del Rosario in the presence of President Yudhoyono and Aquino. Other agreements were in the areas of education and anti-terrorism.
Reporting by Muhammad Arief Iskandar
EDITED BY INE
(SYS/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
