Vientiane, July 25(AseanAll) — Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi raised five important issues at the Retreat Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 25 July 2024 in Vientiane, Laos, namely: the issue of ASEAN centrality, ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), Myanmar, the South China Sea and the Palestinian issue.
Firstly, on the importance of ASEAN not becoming a proxy for any power. Once ASEAN becomes a proxy, it will be difficult for ASEAN to play its central role and remain an 'anchor' for the realisation of peace and stability in the region.
Second, on the sustainability of AOIP implementation. Indonesia ensures that the implementation of AOIP is prioritised both in ASEAN activities and with its Dialogue Partners.
As a follow-up to last year's ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF), this year the 2nd AIPF Meeting will be held on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane next October. Indonesia also hopes that the AIPF can be held in Malaysia next year.
The business community (ABAC Indonesia) is also currently preparing the establishment of the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Business Network.
For the sustainability of the AOIP, the Foreign Minister further proposed Indonesia's initiative for ASEAN to draft and agree on the AOIP Declaration as the main reference for regional architecture, as mentioned in the Concord IV document.
Third, on the issue of Myanmar. Retno expressed her disappointment regarding the absence of 5PC progress by Myanmar.
She also reiterated that the situation in Myanmar is getting worse, among others, marked by: increasing internal conflicts that cause an increase in internal refugees; increasing cross-border criminal activities, including online scams and illegal drug trafficking where the majority of victims are Southeast Asian citizens. UNODC data shows that there has been an increase in the opium trade in Myanmar.
This increasingly worrying condition requires all ASEAN member countries, including all parties in Myanmar, to restore trade and stability in Myanmar.
Going forward, Retno suggested several things, among others:
First, ensuring that the 5PC remains the main reference for ASEAN's efforts. Without any progress in the implementation of the 5PC, Myanmar's participation in the Foreign Ministers' Meeting and ASEAN Summit should be maintained (no political representation).
Second, the need to increase humanitarian assistance. The Indonesian Foreign Minister said that this year Indonesia has provided humanitarian assistance to Myanmar amounting to USD 500,000 for rehabilitation programmes for people with disabilities through the International Red Cross (ICRC). Indonesia will also distribute polio vaccines in September this year.
Indonesia also welcomed Thailand's cross-border humanitarian assistance initiative and emphasised the need for assistance to be inclusive and transparent at all levels, from planning to implementation.
The Foreign Minister also expressed the need for the informal mechanism of the ASEAN Troika for Myanmar to be continued. In addition, she also stressed the need for ASEAN synergy with the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar in the mobilisation and management of aid for Myanmar. Indonesia also supports the holding of the Myanmar Special Autonomy Meeting.
Third, the need to ensure inclusive dialogue. Although until now there has been no desire for dialogue from the stakeholders, Retno stressed that inclusive dialogue is the only way to create lasting peace and stability in Myanmar.
'ASEAN must continue to encourage this inclusive dialogue to build mutual trust among stakeholders,' Retno said.
Fourth, on the South China Sea issue. Retno said that the escalation in the region is increasingly real and worrying. 'One wrong move in the South China Sea will turn a small fire into a terrible firestorm,' she said.
The Foreign Minister reiterated the importance of finalising the CoC (Code of Conduct).
'The management of security issues in the region depends on us. Now is the right time to translate our commitments into concrete actions, among others through the completion of the Practical Guidelines to Accelerate CoC that we agreed last year,' she said.
Fifth, on the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian Foreign Minister encouraged ASEAN to unite in voicing an end to genocide and an immediate permanent ceasefire in Palestine.
As a rules-based organisation where member states are committed to respecting International Law, it is important for ASEAN to voice the importance of respecting international law consistently, without exception, including for Palestine.
'ASEAN must continue to push for the implementation of Resolution 2735. It is also important for ASEAN to support the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice,' she said.
