VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)  stressed the importance of security issues in handling the Rakhine State problem in Myanmar. Without security improvements, the problem of repatriation will be difficult.

President Jokowi's statement was conveyed while attending the 34th ASEAN Summit Conference session, and was conveyed again by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Minister) Retno Marsudi at a press conference at Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday (23/6) afternoon .

"Once again, the president stressed the problem," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, quoting President Jokowi.

The President, the Foreign Minister continued, also paid attention to the communication problems between Myanmar and Bangladesh and the refugees at Cox’s Bazar which were not so smooth, the trust deficit still exists.

Therefore, President Jokowi said that ASEAN could help facilitate communication between Myanmar, Bangladesh and refugees at Cox's Bazar, because the president conveyed communication between Myanmar, Bangladesh and refugees would be a very important part of the entire repatriation process or preparation that would run.

"The President also stressed that it would be better if the plan of action for implementing this recommendation was a timeline. Currently there is already a working group that will be brought to the high level committee, "said the Foreign Minister, adding that the high level committee involved the Government of Myanmar, because we spoke from the start that we worked with the Government of Myanmar.

"Later we will see whether we will be able to develop a time frame for meeting implementation. Because actually the most important thing is there is progress, but if there is a time line it will be easier to measure its progress. So that was emphasized by President Jokowi, "explained the Foreign Minister.

Indo Pacific

Previously Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi conveyed, today is the last day of the ASEAN Summit, and in the context of ASEAN itself there is only one meeting held by the President, namely the 34th ASEAN Summit retreat session. In the retreat leaders usually convey actual issues, issues of concern from the Southeast Asia region.

In the discussion, the Foreign Minister continued, several issues emerged, including the issue of Rakhine State, issues concerning the Indo-Pacific issue, issues regarding RCEP, and issues related to the South China Sea.

Regarding the Indo-Pacific, Minister of Foreign Affairs explained, in the discussion at the retreat earlier, ASEAN leaders thanked Indonesia for initiating the ASEAN Outlook concept for the Indo-Pacific so that at this summit the concept could be adopted.

"Earlier Prime Minister Hun Sen said that with this Outlook, it appears that ASEAN is independent in its attitude in developing views on the Indo-Pacific environment situation, as well as on cooperation that will be carried out," said the Foreign Minister.

During the retreat, President Jokowi emphasized the importance of ASEAN to have an Outlook (insight) on the Indo Pacific issue amid the current global uncertainty situation. "This Outlook reflects the centrality and strength of ASEAN in respecting peace, a culture of dialogue, and strengthening cooperation.

The Foreign Minister explained, even though Outlook is independent in the context that it is an ASEAN Outlook, but this Outlook is not an Outlook that is closed in context then does not open the door for cooperation.

"It is precisely this Outlook that is open and we are ready to collaborate with our partners in implementing the ASEAN perspective on the Indo-Pacific region, especially regarding the problem of cooperation areas, because there are elements regarding areas cooperation," said the Foreign Minister. (setkab)