UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION – MINISTER FOR FOREIGN

AFFAIRS OF INDONESIA PRESS BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF

THE VISIT TO BANGKOK

Dear colleagues from the media,

1. My small group of delegation and I have just returned from a short

trip to Bangkok, Thailand.

2. This is part of Indonesia’s shuttle diplomacy to discuss and contribute

to seeking the best possible solution to address the recent situation
in Myanmar.

3. This is not the first time that Indonesia undertakes shuttle diplomacy.

4. Indonesia was also the first country to carry out shuttle diplomacy
when the Rohingya issue unfolded.

5. Indonesia always engages, communicates and consults will all

parties with a view to contribute in addressing the situation at hand.

6. Last week, I visited Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.

7. Prior to that, Indonesia also discussed the issue of Myanmar at

length with Malaysia during the Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia.

8. In the past few days, I have conducted intense consultation with:

• Firstly, the Chair of ASEAN;

• The Foreign Ministers of the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore,
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia;
• The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General; and
• This morning I spoke with US’ Acting Assistant Under Secretary;
• Tomorrow, I plan to communicate again with UK’s Secretary of
State and the UN Secretary General;
• And I will also be having talks with Australia’s former Prime
Minister, who is now President of the Global Leadership Forum
and the Asia Society.

9. Previously, I have communicated with the Foreign Ministers of

Australia, Japan, US, China, UK and India.

10. Dear colleagues, of course shuttle diplomacy is not easy to

undertake during the pandemic.

11. However, it is necessary for Indonesia to do so as there are principles

to be upheld and a strong desire to continue contributing to peace,
stability and prosperity in the region.
12. Indonesia chooses not to stand still. To do nothing is not an option.

Dear colleagues,

13. During the short trip to Bangkok, I had a bilateral meeting with the
Foreign Minister of Thailand to discuss several bilateral issues,
including the preparation for our Joint Commission Meeting this year
that coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations
between the two countries.

14. In the meeting with Minister Don, we also discussed developments

in Myanmar, including the preparation for the proposed ASEAN
meeting.

15. Thailand has a unique position as it shares 2400 km of land border

with Myanmar and hosts around 2 million Myanmar people who live
in Thailand.

16. During the meeting, I reaffirmed Indonesia’s consistent position that

underlines:

• The safety and well-being of the people of Myanmar;

• The importance of restoring an inclusive democratic
transition; and
• The importance of respecting the ASEAN Charter.

17. We also discussed the proposed ASEAN meeting. Thailand has

agreed to this proposal.

18. So far, ASEAN countries have conveyed their commitment to support

an ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Dear colleagues,

19. An onward trip to Naypyitaw was planned following my visit to

Bangkok in order to directly convey the message and position of
Indonesia and the international community as well as the hope to find
a solution.

20. However, the visit had to be postponed.

21. This delay does not lessen our intention to communicate with all
parties in Myanmar I repeat with all parties in Myanmar including
the military and the CRPH (Committee of Representing Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw).

22. Communication with the CRPH is held intensively.

23. Meanwhile, communication and a short meeting with U Wunna

Maung Lwin was held in Bangkok today.
24. I can convey that during my meeting with the Foreign Minister of
Thailand, I received information that U Wunna Maung Lwin was also
in Bangkok.

25. The meeting with U Wunna was finally carried out in Don Mueang
Airport, during which the Foreign Minister of Thailand was also
present.

26. In my meeting with U Wunna, I conveyed Indonesia’s consistent

position:

• Indonesia is concerned with the recent development in Myanmar;

• The safety and well-being of the people is the number one priority;
• Therefore, we ask all parties to exercise self-restraint and to
refrain from violence to avoid any casualties and bloodshed.
• Indonesia continues to emphasize the importance of an inclusive
democratic transition process;
• Therefore, condition conducive is required, among others through
dialogue, reconciliation, and trust building; and
• Indonesia will always stand with the people of Myanmar.

27. Indonesia also conveyed these principles in our communication with

the CRPH.

28. As I have mentioned earlier that even in difficult situations,

communication with all parties must continue

• to convey messages;
• to contribute in preventing the worsening of situation and to take
steps in addressing the issue at hand.

29. Therefore, all communications must be held in the framework of

contributing towards finding a solution for the interest of the people
of Myanmar.

30. The safety and the well-being of the people of Myanmar must be the
number one priority to safeguard.

31. The wishes of the people of Myanmar must be heard.

32. In addition, in my meeting with U Wunna I also conveyed:

• the importance for all ASEAN countries to honor the principles

stipulated in the ASEAN Charter. This message is continuously
conveyed loud and clear…
• the importance of providing humanitarian access and visits to all
detainees.
33. That is the message that I conveyed to U Wunna.

34. Finally, once again I would like to convey that Indonesia will
continue its communication with all parties to contribute in
addressing the situation in Myanmar.

35. Thank you.