Development of Indo-Pacific cooperation should be based on the principle of transparency and inclusive, with emphasis on cooperation and friendship, Jokowi said addressing the 32nd summit meeting of the regional grouping here on Saturday.
In addition, the Indo-Pacific cooperation concept should underline the ASEAN centrality, he said.
"ASEAN must be able to play its role including in the development of the cooperation concept of Indo-Pacific. The concept is important to keep ASEAN relevant, always able to play its centrality and show its capability in managing strategic environmental change," he said.
The President pointed to the big challenge in the Indo West Pacific region, saying failure to cope with the challenge, could lead to disruption of what ASEAN has achieved so far.
Therefore, ASEAN has to contribute to development of both the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, he said, adding and ASEAN could only give significant contribution if it remains united and maintains its centrality.
Indonesia proposed the Indo-Pacific concept at a retreat meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in January, 2018. Indonesia has also held communications with a number of ASEAN dialog partners on the cooperation concept.
Jokowi repeated saying that the Indo-Pasifik concept is important that ASEAN remains relevant, able to continue its centrality including in managing change in strategic environment.
He said everyone knows and feel the intensity of the struggle for sphere of influence and rivalry involving world`s big powers in this region, the confluence of two big oceans as marked by threat of trade war and sea security.
Therefore, ASEAN as Indo-Pacific fulcrum, should orient itself not only to the Pacific but also to the Indian Ocean development, he said.
(T.SYS/A/H-ASG/C/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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