ASEAN – Indonesia’s VP highlights importance of resolving Myanmar crisis
Last Updated on October 10, 2024 6:45 am
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin highlighted the importance of respecting international law and resolving the crisis in Myanmar at the 44th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.
“ASEAN must continue to voice the importance of enforcing international law without discrimination, without double standards. This effort is required as part of ASEAN’s consistency in maintaining peace,” he said, according to a statement issued the same day.
During the meeting, the Vice President highlighted two main challenges faced by ASEAN in maintaining and preserving regional stability.
The first pertains to respect for international law. VP Amin said that respect for international law is the main foundation for maintaining stability and peace at the global and regional levels.
When international law is ignored — as seen in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza — it can damage the credibility of international law and reduce trust in the multilateral system, he added.
He emphasized that the culture of dialogue and respect for international laws and regional norms must be a common guideline for managing potential conflicts, including in the South China Sea.
The laws include the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, as well as the Bali Principles, he added.
“I encourage that the Code of Conduct can be completed in 2026 according to mutual agreement. I encourage strengthening the direct communication mechanism between high-ranking officials to prevent incidents in the South China Sea,” he said.
Highlighting the second challenge, Amin expressed concern over the crisis in Myanmar, which has remained ASEAN’s biggest internal challenge.
According to him, the crisis has not only brought suffering to the people of Myanmar, but also posed a threat to regional stability.
For this reason, the Vice President emphasized that the Five-Point Consensus will continue to be a common and primary reference in resolving the Myanmar crisis.
He also called for increased assistance for the people of Myanmar, including through the AHA Center.
In addition, he asked ASEAN to help find a solution to the Rohingya issue, which is an integral part of resolving the Myanmar crisis.
VP Amin joined the ASEAN Summit along with other regional leaders, such as the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah; Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Hun Manet; Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim; President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.; Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong; and Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh; Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao; Permanent Secretary of Myanmar Aung Kyaw Moe; as well as Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn, also attended the high-level meeting.