en.1berita.com – The Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to continue the outcomes of Indonesia’s chairmanship for discussion at the ASEAN Summit in Laos in October later this year. One of the key points of agreement is the support for Palestine.

This consensus was reached during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat in Luang Prabang, Laos, on Saturday (29/1). The first-ever Ministerial-level meeting under Laos’s chairmanship included an agreement to carry forward the achievements of Indonesia’s chairmanship from the previous year.

“Several agreements from the AMM Retreat meeting include the continuity of various deliverables from Indonesia’s chairmanship last year, including support for the continuation of the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) and the ongoing implementation of the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a press statement received on Tuesday (30/1/2024).

Additionally, the meeting also agreed to advance the mainstreaming of maritime issues in ASEAN to promote regional stability and maritime cooperation, including blue economy initiatives and the organization of the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF)/Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

Other agreements include the continuation of the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in various ASEAN-led mechanisms. In this regard, Indonesia’s Concept Note on AOIP-based Comprehensive Regional Architecture has been approved for further discussion.

The meeting also expressed support for the Trilateral Summit of China, Japan, and South Korea. Concerning Palestine, the meeting conveyed concerns and called for an immediate cessation of violence and a ceasefire in Gaza, strongly condemning acts of violence against civilians, expressing support for a two-state solution, and urging Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s decision on Gaza.

Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Indonesia welcomed the reaffirmed commitment of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to make the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) the primary reference for ASEAN’s efforts to assist Myanmar in resolving the crisis. Indonesia also reported that all records related to the handling of the Myanmar issue during Indonesia’s chairmanship last year have been submitted to Laos as the current Chair.

“Indonesia also hopes that there will be no permissive actions that could hinder or delay the implementation of the 5PC. Engagement with stakeholders must be done carefully to avoid being politically capitalized by certain stakeholders,” said Retno.

On this occasion, Indonesia also expressed its readiness to contribute through the troika mechanism. Discussions within this troika mechanism are expected to involve not only consultations but also the coordination of humanitarian aid and the facilitation of inclusive dialogue.

It is worth noting that the AMM Retreat meeting was divided into two sessions, namely Session I, which discussed Laos’s priorities as the ASEAN Chair and follow-up actions from the previous summit, including the implementation of the 5PC, and Session II, which addressed regional and international situations. In Session I, Indonesia expressed support for Laos’s chairmanship this year and emphasized several important matters that need to be followed up under Laos’s leadership.