Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) shakes hands with visiting Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on March 26, 2008. Samak Sundaravej is on a two-day official visit to Indonesia.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JAKARTA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia and Thailand on Wednesday said that ASEAN member countries were the best to play peaceful roles to help settle the crisis in Myanmar, the leaders of the two countries said here.

    Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundravej told a joint press conference after a meeting at the State Palace that both countries support the Myanmar road map to democracy.

    The agreement came after the failure of the United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to settle the crisis in Myanmar recently.

    "On our fellow (Myanmar), both of us agree that the countries in the ASEAN region are in the best position to understand and have dialogue with the Myanmar government," Thai Prime Minister Sundravej said.

    During the meeting with President Susilo, Sundrajev said they discussed how Thailand, which will become the chairman of the ASEAN in July this year, and Indonesia work closely together with other ASEAN countries to develop and materialize an effective and strong ASEAN in order to settle the crisis in Myanmar.

    "We also discussed how the ASEAN could play a positive role in working with Myanmar to help it face the challenges it is facing," he said.

    On his turn, President Susilo said that Indonesia and Thailand insist to contribute for the crisis settlement in Myanmar.

    "The cooperation of Thailand and Indonesia is aimed at contributing to the crisis settlement in Myanmar," he said.

    The president reaffirmed Indonesia's support on the road map to democracy in Myanmar.

    "We will give assistance to maintain the stability and integrity (of Myanmar) in its way to reach the road map," said Susilo.

    Newly-elected Sundravej is on his two-day visit to Indonesia. He will leave for Thailand on Thursday.

    Indonesia, which has supported the Myanmar government plan to hold a referendum in May and a general election in 2010, has asked for the transparency of the election process.

    The member countries of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar and Vietnam.