According to Marsudi, Prabowo's commitment to strengthening cooperation in the ASEAN region is apparent from his visit to several ASEAN member countries in early September.
"Indonesia's commitment to ASEAN will not change. Prabowo's visit to ASEAN countries proved this," she noted in a press statement on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday (October 9).
Responding to Indonesia's political stance towards ASEAN during the 10 years of Joko Widodo's government, Marsudi highlighted that each leader has his or her own individual style.
However, speaking in connection with the basis of the foreign policy, the minister affirmed that Indonesia's commitment to the ASEAN would remain despite the change of leadership.
"We will stand by the free and active foreign policy," she noted.
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In early September, Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited four ASEAN member countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, to intensify regional defense cooperation.
He also stopped by for an unofficial meeting with Thai Prime Minister (PM) Paetongtarn Shinawatra and his father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who also served as Thai PM during the 2001-2006 period.
Meanwhile, at the Plenary Session of the 44th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Laos, as the host country, and on behalf of ASEAN leaders, lauded President Joko Widodo for his contribution to promoting the relevance of ASEAN during his administration.
However, President Widodo was unable to attend the summit and was represented by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.
"All ASEAN members expressed high appreciation to President Widodo for his contribution in the last 10 years in ASEAN. Vice President Amin had informed the summit attendees that President Widodo is in the transition process for the next administration," Marsudi remarked.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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