"The ASEAN Chairmanship has put Jakarta on the map in the world politics. This is a tremendous opportunity to bolster its diplomatic standing in Southeast Asia and beyond," Fauzi was quoted as saying in his speech read out by the Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Sutanto Soehodo, during a gathering of the diplomatic community and civil society in the capital city of Indonesia Thursday (Jan 20).
The speech also read that as the economic gravity shifts towards East Asia, ASEAN has gained a bigger role in global political architecture and that Indonesia`s weight and influence in world politics have also increased.
Jakarta was prepared and experienced to be the host of diplomatic assemblies of such international stature.
"Indonesia chairing of ASEAN has given huge leverage for Jakarta to foster its image as centre of diplomacy and business in Southeast Asia."
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Bagas Hapsoro, said that the ASEAN Secretariat is ready to work together with the Government of Indonesia, in particular the local government of Jakarta, ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and various levels of the civil society.
The evening gathering was jointly hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat, Hotel Mulia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.
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Editor: AA Ariwibowo
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
