Regional peace, Myanmar on agenda as Indonesia hosts ASEAN summit

4-day summit begins with meeting of foreign ministers

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Regional leaders will gather in Jakarta to attend the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Indonesia, the current chair of the 10-member regional bloc, is hosting the 43rd ASEAN summit from Monday to discuss the development and strengthening of cooperation between the bloc and its partners.

The summit began with a meeting of foreign ministers of the member states. Regional peace and Myanmar top the agenda.

Zambry Abd Kadir, the Malaysian foreign minister, said that unity and harmony among the member states “are crucial, especially when ASEAN is asserting itself to be the driver of a peaceful and stable region.”

However, he expressed “great disappointment” over the extension of the state of emergency in Myanmar.

Underlining the “prolonged political crisis” in Myanmar, Zambry also expressed concern on reports about the deteriorating economic situation, continued widespread violence and limited humanitarian access in the country.

The summit will conclude on Thursday.

Kaynak:

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