Jokowi Expresses Disappointment With Myanmar During ASEAN Summit

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo expressed his disappoinment with Myanmar's attitude at the ASEAN Summit on Tuesday (26/10).

The President viewed that Myanmar "did not welcome ASEAN's helping hand as a family, to help Myanmar out of its political crisis".

This statement was reported by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in a press briefing after the summit on Tuesday.

"The access requested by the ASEAN Special Envoy, to be able to meet with all relevant parties, has not been granted by the Myanmar military until the final moments before the summit," said Retno.

As previously reported, ASEAN foreign ministers decided not to include the leader of the Myanmar junta in the summit, based on the agreement reached at the ASEAN ministerial meeting. However, representatives from Myanmar were still invited on a non-political level.

Jokowi said that while it was important for ASEAN to continue to respect the principle of non-intervention, there was also an obligation to uphold the principles of the ASEAN Charter, which included good governance, respect for human rights, and constitutional government.

According to the President, this provides space for ASEAN to continue carrying out various progress, in line with the promise to the people of ASEAN.

"As a family, the President said that ASEAN's helping hand must still be offered to Myanmar, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar people," said Retno.