VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, on Tuesday, welcomed the arrival of ASEAN foreign ministers ahead of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta.

ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn arrived earlier, followed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste Bendito Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof.

Of the 10 ASEAN member countries, only Myanmar will not attend the meeting following the regional organization's decision to exclude Myanmar's political representatives from various high-level meetings, as Myanmar's military junta has not implemented the ASEAN's five-point consensus.

The five-point consensus is a decision agreed upon by ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 that aims to help resolve the political crisis of Myanmar.

The consensus calls for an immediate end to violence, holding of dialogue among all parties concerned, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, among others.

The series of AMM events are being held in Jakarta from July 10 to July 14, 2023.

The events comprise 18 meetings, including a meeting to discuss the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), an AMM plenary session, and a retreat session.

Furthermore, the agenda includes ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It also includes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting will discuss several issues, including the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea.

As the ASEAN chair this year, Indonesia has raised the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," which reflects its focus on directing cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges and to build ASEAN's position as a center of economic growth in the region. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated that Southeast Asia must remain a region free of nuclear weapons.

Foreign Minister Retno conveyed this statement when chairing the Meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) on Tuesday (11/7) in Jakarta.

During the meeting, Retno said the risk of using nuclear weapons use is higher today than at any time in recent history.

"Southeast Asia is still not a truly safe region as long as there are countries that have nuclear weapons," she said.

Retno also expressed disappointment with countries that still adhere to military doctrines based on nuclear weapons in the Southeast Asian region. With nuclear weapons, one miscalculation can trigger a global disaster.

"The maintenance of peace and stability in the region is our priority. It is our foundation to turn the region into the Epicentrum of Growth. Therefore, we must keep Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons," Foreign Minister Retno said.

The SEANWFZ Treaty has contributed to global disarmament efforts and the non-proliferation regime. However, over the past 25 years, no nuclear weapon state has signed the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol.

Together with other ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the Indonesian Foreign Minister called for nuclear weapon states to immediately sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol.

Previously, in 2022, the SEANWFZ Commission had agreed to explore the option for nuclear weapon states to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol first, as long as they are committed to this protocol.

"We must unite to create a path towards a nuclear weapon-free region," Retno said.

In Indonesia's national statement, Retno raised the ratification of the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol by nuclear weapon states and the importance of the SEANWFZ Treaty Biennial Resolution. 

During the meeting, ASEAN Foreign Ministers affirmed the political will to urge nuclear weapon states to accede to the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol action plan review. In addition, the foreign ministers agreed to assign a working group to discuss this issue further. The meeting also successfully adopted a Concept Note on the Possible Joint Initiatives of OPANAL and ASEAN in 2023. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated that Southeast Asia must remain a region free of nuclear weapons.

Foreign Minister Retno conveyed this statement when chairing the Meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) on Tuesday (11/7) in Jakarta.

During the meeting, Retno said the risk of using nuclear weapons use is higher today than at any time in recent history.

"Southeast Asia is still not a truly safe region as long as there are countries that have nuclear weapons," she said.

Retno also expressed disappointment with countries that still adhere to military doctrines based on nuclear weapons in the Southeast Asian region. With nuclear weapons, one miscalculation can trigger a global disaster.

"The maintenance of peace and stability in the region is our priority. It is our foundation to turn the region into the Epicentrum of Growth. Therefore, we must keep Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons," Foreign Minister Retno said.

The SEANWFZ Treaty has contributed to global disarmament efforts and the non-proliferation regime. However, over the past 25 years, no nuclear weapon state has signed the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol.

Together with other ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the Indonesian Foreign Minister called for nuclear weapon states to immediately sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol.

Previously, in 2022, the SEANWFZ Commission had agreed to explore the option for nuclear weapon states to sign the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol first, as long as they are committed to this protocol.

"We must unite to create a path towards a nuclear weapon-free region," Retno said.

In Indonesia's national statement, Retno raised the ratification of the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol by nuclear weapon states and the importance of the SEANWFZ Treaty Biennial Resolution. 

During the meeting, ASEAN Foreign Ministers affirmed the political will to urge nuclear weapon states to accede to the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty Protocol action plan review. In addition, the foreign ministers agreed to assign a working group to discuss this issue further. The meeting also successfully adopted a Concept Note on the Possible Joint Initiatives of OPANAL and ASEAN in 2023. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia is ready to engage with the foreign ministers of ASEAN and dialogue partner countries at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta, which will be held from July 11 to 14, 2023.

"I am very ready to start tomorrow's meeting," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said at the 2023 AMM media center in Jakarta on Monday.

Marsudi will open the plenary session of the AMM on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, which will be preceded by ASEAN foreign ministers' discussions on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and a meeting with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

Indonesia is holding the ASEAN chairmanship this year, which has been themed "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth" to reflect its focus on strengthening the region's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges and becoming a center of economic growth.

The AMM retreat will be held on Wednesday, July 12.

On Thursday, July 13, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with the foreign ministers of dialogue partner countries such as India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

On Friday, July 14, ASEAN foreign ministers will hold a meeting with the United States, and the agenda will continue with the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) meeting.

On the same day, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with the East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministers and attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Indonesia has received 13 requests for bilateral meetings from partner countries such as New Zealand, China, Timor-Leste, India, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the EU, Marsudi informed.

"However, this is very dynamic as we need to adjust the schedules. Sometimes we do not get to meet, but so far we have received 13 requests for a bilateral meeting," she said.

On Monday, Retno visited all event locations and the media center set up for the meeting to ensure that all facilities for media coverage of the event were well prepared.

Overall, 29 countries, along with the ASEAN Secretariat and the EU, will attend the 56th AMM in Jakarta. (Antaranews)