"ASEAN-New Zealand partnership is a strategic matter which can bring ASEAN closer to South Pacific and that the cooperation will be useful to promote the well being of the peoples as well as to respect other countries sovereignty," the president said at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC).
Indonesia was officially appointed to the post of the partnership coordinator during the ASEAN-New Zealand 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit here on Sunday, replacing Laos.
As the coordinator of the partnership cooperation, President Jokowi said he will make sure that the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action 2016-2020 will be implemented properly.
Jokowi further praised New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for his initiatives regarding People Strategy and Prosperity Strategy.
He believed the two strategies will be useful for the ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation in the future.
According to member of the presidential communication team Ari Dwipayana, President Jokowi also underscored the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand in the fields of food security and energy particularly renewable energy.
It is very important to encourage the development of renewable energy including geothermal energy and cooperation in food security in the Southeast Asian region, he said.
The president expressed hope that the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership will help develop cooperation between ASEAN and South Pacific countries.
He also appreciated New Zealand for its support for Indonesias initiative regarding the draft EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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