Sugiono Urges De-escalation of Middle East Conflict in ASEAN Meeting

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Foreign Minister, Sugiono, urged de-escalation and emphasized the importance for ASEAN countries to continue strengthening coordination and regional resilience in responding to the impact of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Spokesperson of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said Sugiono conveyed the message during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was chaired virtually by the Philippine Foreign Minister on the same day.

“Encouraging de-escalation and reiterating the importance for ASEAN to continue strengthening coordination and regional resilience in facing the ongoing conflict,” Yvonne said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Friday.

She explained that the meeting specifically discussed the impact of the developments in the Middle East on ASEAN countries. According to her, the Indonesian Foreign Minister also encouraged stronger cooperation among ASEAN member states, including coordination in evacuation efforts and the provision of consular assistance for their respective citizens in areas affected by the conflict.

“And also encouraging cooperation in evacuation efforts and consular assistance for ASEAN citizens in areas affected by the conflict,” Yvonne said.

Yvonne also emphasized that all ASEAN member states agreed on the need to push for de-escalation in the Middle East and discussed various steps that could be taken to address the impact of the US–Israel–Iran conflict.

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono attended the virtual Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East on Friday (March 13).

During the meeting, Sugiono stressed that ASEAN must remain united and closely coordinated in responding to the broader regional implications of the conflict by supporting de-escalation efforts, protecting citizens, and strengthening the region’s collective resilience.