Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to synergize their national interest with the regional interest, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated.

"The ability of ASEAN member states to synergize their national and regional interest is a necessity," Marsudi stated at the Annual Press Statement of Foreign Affairs Minister in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Every member state must hold a strong commitment to maintain the relevance of ASEAN for its people, she added.

"A collective leadership and concerted action are needed to maintain ASEAN`s role as the main player in the region," the first female foreign minister in the country revealed.

To do so, Indonesia will continue to maintain unity and centrality within ASEAN.

During its 50 years of establishment, ASEAN has been contributing greatly towards creating an ecosystem of peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

"For the next 50 years, in addition to its contribution to the region, ASEAN must also be able to improve its contribution to the world`s peace and prosperity," Marsudi remarked.

Reported by Yuni Arisandy
(Y013/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.Y013/C/KR-BSR/S012)

Reporter: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2018