The message was conveyed by Minister Marsudi while delivering the Annual Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday.
Despite optimism on the global economy, which was forecast to grow 3.6 percent in 2017 and 3.7 percent in 2018, global security and political instability will remain the biggest risk factors in 2018, Marsudi noted.
Minister Marsudi highlighted that several countries have withdrawn from international commitments.
At the end of 2017, the international society was shocked by a move to alter the status quo of Jerusalem, Marsudi recalled.
The world reacted and most UN member states voted that the move by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as Israel`s capital was null and void.
The potential for proxy conflicts across the world will remain an issue to address this year.
Hence, partnerships to respect international and multilateral laws should be nurtured and strengthened to prevent "the mighty takes all," Marsudi affirmed.
"Indonesia wants to establish an ecosystem of peace, stability, and prosperity not only in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Rim or the Indo-Pacific Rim," Marsudi remarked.
Southeast Asia, which is located at the crossing between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, should become a peaceful and open region, Marsudi noted.
Hence, Indonesia will encourage the ASEAN to play an active role in the discussions to establish a regional architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Delivering the annual statement, Minister Marsudi also elaborated on several strategic moves and political focus of the Indonesian foreign policy.
Indonesia will play an active role in strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality during Singapore`s chairmanship in 2018, among others.
The ASEAN and China will also work to accelerate the negotiation on the Code of Conduct of the South China Sea to create security and stability in the region.
Indonesia will also intensify diplomatic steps to promote peace and humanity this year, in which the country is currently eyeing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2019-2020 period.
Moreover, Indonesia will focus on accelerating negotiations and settling border disputes; offering protection to Indonesian citizens overseas; intensifying trade and economic agreements through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, free-trade agreement, or preferential trade agreement; and strengthening its diplomacy in combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; drug trafficking; radicalism; and terrorism.
This year, Indonesia will also host several international events, such as the 18th Asian Games to be held from Aug 18 to Sept 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, Our Ocean Conference in Bali on Oct 29-30, International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group annual meeting in Bali on Oct 8-14, and the World Conference on Creative Economy 2018 in Bali on May 5-7.
T.A059/INE
EDITED BY INE/a014
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
