At this moment, ASEAN must be able to maintain its unity and centrality in order to be able to respond to the existing dynamics effectively. Indonesia is looking forward to ASEAN being able to become the locomotive of stability and welfare in the regJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia deems it necessary for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to become a locomotive of stability and welfare in the region amid rivalry among the world's superpowers, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated.
“At this moment, ASEAN must be able to maintain its unity and centrality in order to be able to respond to the existing dynamics effectively. Indonesia is looking forward to ASEAN being able to become the locomotive of stability and welfare in the region,” the minister noted in a press briefing related to the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits monitored from here on Tuesday.
According to Marsudi, the significance of strengthening the ASEAN institution was one of the topics that President Joko Widodo discussed at the ASEAN Summit.
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To this end, the head of state drew attention to the immediate strengthening of ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness.
“Indonesia proposes that the High Level Task Force that will begin to work next year develop the post-2025 ASEAN Vision in addition to giving recommendations on strengthening the ASEAN institution,” she remarked.
Indonesia is optimistic that by the end of next year, the recommendations would be accepted and a decision would be taken to apply them in 2023, she stated.
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Thus, ASEAN will be prepared to realize the post-2025 New Vision, she remarked.
“Indonesia has submitted a concept paper on strengthening the ASEAN institution and calls for support from other ASEAN member states,” she stated.
The 39th ASEAN Summit, to be held on October 26-28 under the chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, was attended by nine ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN secretary general.
President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno and Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar on the first day of the summit on Tuesday.
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Translator: Aria Cindyara, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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