Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar (ANTARA News) -The leaders of Indonesia and Myanmar met here Wednesday on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit with a common spirit of strengthening the two countries relations.

At the bilateral meeting, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, Coordinating Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil, Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel, and Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar Ito Sumardi.

President of Myanmar Thein Sein thanked Joko Widodo for his presence at the ASEAN Summit and congratulated him on being elected as Indonesias seventh president.

"Myanmar and Indonesia have a good relationship, and Indonesia has given huge support for Myanmar in regional and international arena. We hope that Indonesia will continuously support Myanmar," he said.

President Joko Widodos presence at the ASEAN Summit was the first time since his presidential inauguration on October 20, 2014.

At the ASEAN Summit, among the issues that the ASEAN leaders may discuss are the South China Sea and Rohingya refugee.

Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar Ito Sumardi has said earlier that Indonesia would propose the Rohingya refugee issue into the ASEAN leaders agenda.

Ito said Indonesia was concerned about the fate of Rohingyas in Myanmar as the latter did not acknowledge Rohingya people as their citizens. This situation has forced a number of Rohingyans to flee their country to reach such countries as Australia through Indonesian waters.

Prior to his presence at the ASEAN Summit, President Joko Widodo attended the APEC Summit in Beijing on November 10-11. From Myanmar, the head of state is scheduled to join leaders of G20 member countries in Brisbane, Australia, who will meet on November 15-16.

Reported by Ageng Wibowo

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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