"At the East Asia Summit, Indonesia can eventually mainstream maritime cooperation in the EAS. I think this is an extraordinary achievement of the Indonesian diplomacy. For the first time ever, we can mainstream a maritime issue at the EAS talk or discussion," Foreign Minister Retno P Marsudi said while accompanying President Joko Widodo at the ASEAN Summit here on Sunday evening.
"This year we have tried to mainstream maritime cooperation in the form of EAS Statement on Regional Maritime Cooperation and this is very strategic for Indonesia. With the statement, we will promote maritime cooperation in the context of economy, while at the same time prioritizing maritime cooperation in the context of regional security and stability," she said.
The minister said the Indonesian initiative has received support from the United States, China, New Zealand and Australia as well as full support from all EAS member states.
She made it clear that the EAS Statement on Regional Maritime Cooperation carries five main priorities; first, developing sustainable maritime economy; second, promoting maritime peace, stability and security; third, addressing cross border challenges; fourth, promoting maritime connectivity; and fifth, encouraging joint researches involving various research institutions.
"So, the five cooperation priorities will be promoted in the context of maritime cooperation in the EAS. Once again this is our success in mainstreaming maritime cooperation in the context of EAS," she said.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the ASEAN Summit and other meetings held in Kuala Lumpur from Saturday to Sunday.
He was scheduled to return home on Sunday night after holding talks with US Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
