Indonesian president Joko Widodo says that ASEAN cannot be a competition, it can’t be a proxy of any country, and international law should be respected consistently.( Photo: AFP) Jakarta (VNA)– President Joko Widdo of Indonesia, the chair of the ASEAN in 2023, on July 14 affirmed that ASEAN is committed tostrengthening the unity and solidity as well as centrality in the regional grouping to guard peace and stability in the region.
Receiving the foreignministers who attended the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) andrelated meetings held on July 11-12 in Jakarta, the Indonesian leader emphasised that ASEAN cannot be a competition nor a proxy ofany country, and international law should be respected consistently.
According to him,ASEAN is home to a productive-age population and abundant natural resources,making it a high potential to become an epicentrum of growth. He added thatdeveloping countries need care, wisdom, and support from all advanced economiesso they would leave the zero-sum approach and embrace a mutually beneficialapproach.
Finally, theIndonesian leader expressed his belief that the participation of countries inthe AMM-56 series of meetings is to find solutions to regional and worldproblems.
From July 11-14, theforeign ministers of ASEAN countries and their partners held 18 ministerialmeetings to discuss and agree on cooperation in fields. Realising the ASEANOutlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) is one of the top priorities for the ASEANYear 2023.
The Joint Statement of the AMM 56, issued on 13 July, reflected muchof the statement mentioned above by the Indonesian President, in which ASEANexpressed concern about the rising geopolitical tensions in the region and emphasisedthe value and related issues of AOIP for peace, security, stability, andprosperity of ASEAN.
The bloc will further promote the implementation of AOIPwith partners, through specific projects and activities to promote trust,respect, and common interests through ASEAN-led mechanisms./.
