"ASEAN must protect our home and ensure sustainable peace and stability," President Jokowi stated in a speech at the ASEAN Leaders Retreat during the 29th ASEAN Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.
He opined that the existing ASEAN mechanism, such as the ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Regional Forum, and East Asia Summit, have not been able to fully guarantee peace in the region.
Several activities in the Southeast Asian region have the potential to escalate tensions and even trigger open conflicts.
"Hence, we need a strong and comprehensive regional security architecture that could advance ASEAN centrality and more effectively contribute to security and regional stability," he emphasized.
The regional architecture should be able to help achieve the ultimate goals outlined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the Bali Principles adopted in the East Asia Summit in 2011, he affirmed.
In addition to emphasizing regional security and architecture, the Indonesian head of state highlighted the issue of maritime cooperation.
Jokowi reiterated that the ASEAN should implement the maritime cooperation commitment concretely as agreed during the East Asia Summit 2015.
"For me, maritime cooperation must seriously address sources of maritime conflicts, such as illegal fishing activities, territorial disputes, kidnapping, and armed robbery," he explained.
In his speech, the president also warned of the dangers of extremism and terrorism in Southeast Asia.
The Indonesian head of state called on every ASEAN leader to optimize all ASEAN mechanisms to counter terrorism and extremism.
"We must take common actions and strengthen security in our respective countries," Jokowi stated.
President Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung during the ASEAN Leaders Retreat.
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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