"As a partner for peace, our partnership must also stand firm on principle. Upholding international law must remain our collective commitment," the minister stated before US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US delegates during the ASEAN-US Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday (July 10).
According to a written statement from the Foreign Ministry on Friday, Sugiono said that consistent application of international law would strengthen "the credibility of our shared values and foster trust."
He also highlighted that the ASEAN-US partnership in development and growth continues to deliver real benefits on the ground for people in both regions.
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Sugiono underscored the strengthening of ASEAN-US cooperation, as seen in the establishment of the ASEAN-US Center in Washington, DC, in 2023 and bipartisan support for the ASEAN Act, which bolsters engagement between the two parties.
"ASEAN also hopes the US will continue to support open, fair, and mutually beneficial trade, including through existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement," he said.
The minister noted that Indonesian students in the US—whose number now exceeds 8,000—serve as strategic bridges in the partnership between the US and ASEAN. "Hence, we encourage more inclusive and facilitative visa policies that reflect the value of this long-term investment," he added.
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Addressing Secretary Rubio and the US delegation, he also stressed the need for concrete actions to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israeli military operations since October 2023.
Indonesia reiterated its urgent call for a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and a credible path toward a two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, the minister stated.
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Reporter: Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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