JABAR EKSPRES – Canada has never doubted the importance of its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly said, during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (PMC) with Canada in Jakarta on Thursday (7/13).

“Canada is a Pacific nation, and we are committed to being a consistent and reliable partner to ASEAN and its members,” Melanie continued.

She reminded that the current PMC and Canada meeting was held amid geopolitical turmoil and an uncertain global situation where the international system of rules that ensures the survival of the global community is facing many challenges.

Climate change poses a threat to people around the world, political economic security and humanitarian crises are increasing, the number of civilian casualties is increasing, and threats to regional security are also increasing, he continued.

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These challenges, according to her, make the partnership between Canada and ASEAN even more important.

Melanie also expressed her country’s support for the centrality of ASEAN and Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN this year, in responding to the Myanmar crisis.

“We support efforts to bring peace and democracy to Myanmar and long-term solutions for young refugees,” she said.

The violence perpetrated by the military, she said, must stop immediately and humanitarian assistance must also be able to reach the people who need it most.

Melanie also encouraged cooperation to strengthen international rules and laws that apply to all because other challenges, such as global climate change and increasing food insecurity, are not limited by borders.