VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has emphasized that the five-point consensus (5PC) must continue to be the reference for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in handling the Myanmar crisis.

"The 5PC is the main reference, and the implementation of the 5PC should remain the focus of ASEAN," she noted in her opening remarks at the retreat session of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The consensus calls for an immediate end to violence, the holding of dialogue among all parties concerned, the appointment of ASEAN's special envoy to facilitate mediation, the provision of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, and the ASEAN special envoy's visit to Myanmar to meet with the parties concerned.

Marsudi noted that ASEAN leaders in Phnom Penh have stated that any other effort must support the implementation of the 5PC.

ASEAN was divided when the Thai government last month held a meeting inviting representatives of Myanmar's junta, which has been excluded from ASEAN meetings since the February 2021 coup.

Several ASEAN member countries refused to attend the meeting.

According to Thailand, dialogue with the junta is necessary to protect its country, which shares a long border with Myanmar.

Indonesia, as the ASEAN chair this year, has conducted more than 110 intensive engagements with stakeholders in Myanmar so far.

"This is a very complex exercise, and it is not easy at all," Marsudi underlined.

She stressed that dialogue should be encouraged in engagements with parties in Myanmar, as it will pave the way to a political solution.

Only a political solution would lead to lasting peace, she affirmed.

At Wednesday's event, Marsudi also expressed concern over the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar, adding that Indonesia strongly condemns the use of force and violence in the country.

To this end, Indonesia is urging all stakeholders to denounce violence, which is deemed to be the key to building trust, delivering humanitarian assistance, and conducting dialogue.

Furthermore, she drew attention to the progress achieved regarding humanitarian assistance.

Marsudi expressed hope that the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre)'s access to reach people in need would be further granted, including in Magway and Sagaing. (Antaranews)