M Julnis Firmansyah, Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo or Jokowi met with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Sofitel Hotel in Phnom Penh on Thursday night, November 10. The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits or Summits in Cambodia.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said the two heads of state spoke about several issues, including the G20 Summit, the situations in Myanmar, and the planned leaders' retreat meeting next year.
"Both leaders expressed their disappointment with the Myanmar military junta's lack of commitment in implementing the five-point consensus," Retno said in her statement on Friday, November 11.
Regarding the G20 Summit, Retno said PM Lee expressed his full support for the G20 Presidency of Indonesia, confirming he will attend the conference.
"Lastly, the two leaders agreed to hold a leaders' retreat next year's first quarter, with Singapore as the host," said Retno.
On the first day of the ASEAN Summit, Jokowi held a number of bilateral meetings. During the retreat session, Jokowi discussed ASEAN's relations with outsiders, including the external challenges faced by ASEA, and the two Myanmar issues.
President Jokowi also stated that one of Indonesia's focuses at the ASEAN Summit was on the country's presidency in ASEAN next year. According to the President, as the chairman of ASEAN in 2023, Indonesia will carry the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".
Jokowi said his government wants ASEAN to remain important and relevant to the world. Jokowi also said he wants Southeast Asia to stay as an epicenter of the world's economic growth.
"This is not an easy task, global challenges will remain very big in 2023. In addition, ASEAN also faces internal challenges, namely the situation in Myanmar," the president said