Foreign Minister Sugiono: 48th ASEAN Summit Discusses Myanmar to Border Conflicts

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that ASEAN leaders discussed several regional issues at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines. Sugiono said the leaders focused on the situation in Myanmar and the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue. He mentioned that ASEAN leaders discussed the latest developments in Myanmar following the elections and the formation of a new government in the country. Indonesia, he said, has from the outset emphasised the importance of an inclusive and peace-oriented political process. Sugiono stated that Indonesia also stressed the importance of implementing the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus as the main foundation for resolving the Myanmar crisis. In those discussions, the ASEAN leaders also highlighted several positive developments undertaken by Myanmar’s new government, which were seen as progress that needs to be appreciated by ASEAN countries. “After the election, there are several positive gestures that are also seen as needing appreciation from the new government, including the release, according to figures mentioned by the Myanmar side, of more than 6,000 political prisoners, and also the change in status of prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi,” he said. Therefore, the ASEAN leaders also discussed measured steps that can be taken to continue encouraging improvements in the situation in Myanmar. “In essence, all agree that as one family in the ASEAN region, member countries must continue to pay attention, show concern, and continue to engage with Myanmar to find a path that they determine themselves in order to improve their country’s situation,” he said. Besides the Myanmar issue, the Foreign Minister said President Prabowo also conveyed his views on the importance of reconciliation and dialogue in addressing various border issues in the region, including tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. “Rather than sharpening our differences, let the legal matters proceed, but in the meantime, why not look for positive things that we can cooperate on that can then benefit the people and citizens of each country,” he said. Sugiono stated that this approach has also been the principle followed by Indonesia in managing various regional issues.