For Indonesia, the South China Sea must be maintained as a sea that is stable and peaceful. International law, especially the UNCLOS 1982, must be respected and implemented
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo placed emphasis on the commitment of both nations to respect international law in the South China Sea (SCS).

"For Indonesia, the South China Sea must be maintained as a sea that is stable and peaceful. International law, especially the UNCLOS 1982, must be respected and implemented,” Marsudi remarked while delivering a virtual press statement, Thursday, after meeting with Pompeo.

Marsudi expressed belief that every claim pertaining to the SCS should be based on universally recognized principles of the international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Meanwhile, Pompeo has supported law-abiding nations to reject claims made by the Chinese Communist Party in the SCS, which he affirmed had clearly demonstrated Indonesia's "courageous leadership on this issue in ASEAN and the United Nations".

"These are the reasons that need to work in a multilateral arrangement. The Trump Administration is very supportive of this. Hence, we welcome the example set by Indonesia by taking firm action to safeguard its maritime sovereignty around the Natuna Islands," Pompeo stated.

As a fellow democratic nation, with a diverse population and respect for religious freedom, Pompeo underscored that the US and Indonesia have shared a vision with the world of the importance of respecting freedom of navigation, sovereignty, and the rule of law.

"I look forward to working together on new ways to ensure maritime security (to) protect some of the world's busiest trade routes," he remarked.

Pompeo's visit to Indonesia -- after earlier visiting India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives -- is part of his trip to Asia to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The Indo-Pacific cooperation that is open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based is also supported by Indonesia through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which lays priority on the role of these regional organizations to maintain peace and stability in the region.
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Translator: Yashinta Difa, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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