This is important for the progress and growth of the region
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday invited China, Japan, and South Korea to build cooperation with ASEAN in developing its electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

At the opening of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, Widodo said that new cooperation opportunities are needed to support green economic development as a future priority.

The APT Summit is part of the agenda of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, which is being held from September 5 to 7. The summit is being attended by 19 state leaders, including those from friendly countries, as well as representatives of international organizations.

"This is important for the progress and growth of the region," he informed at the summit attended by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Jakarta on Wednesday.

However, this goal would be disrupted if regional peace and stability are not maintained, the President noted.

"Therefore, I invite all of us to share the same feelings, to have the same awareness, to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region by continuing to respect international law," he emphasized.

In response to President Widodo's invitation, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that now is the right time to form a new framework for future cooperation between ASEAN and its three partners.

APT must continue its vision since it was formed in 1997 to respond to the challenges of the time, namely the global financial crisis, and remains relevant for addressing current global challenges, which are characterized by geopolitical competition, open conflict, and the climate crisis, he added.

"Overcoming these challenges and contributing to ASEAN's development on its journey to becoming a center of growth requires renewed determination. We must be able to facilitate cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and China, which is the foundation of ASEAN development," he added.

He said that if the APT unite, countries in the mechanism could contribute not only to building ASEAN, but also to realizing peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world.

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Translator: Yashinta Difa P, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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