International observer of the University of Indonesia, Hariyadi Wiryawan, said here on Monday that during Indonesia`s leadership, ASEAN in the past year was able to overcome various problems the organization had been facing.
"Indonesia has been able to lead ASEAN through a number of issues related to border conflicts, solution of the South China Sea conflict, energy crisis, and the threat of global monetary crisis from Europe and the United States," Hariyadi said.
He then cited Indonesia`s efforts to mediate the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia over an area around the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
The protracted conflict that had already claimed many lives on both sides was feared to tarnish ASEAN`s reputation as a stable region.
Haryadi also mentioned Indonesia`s consistency in actively encouraging the solution of the South China Sea dispute that involved the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam.
"Indonesia has made a positive achievement in its agenda to create stability in the ASEAN region," Haryadi said.
According to him, Indonesia had successfully raised ASEAN`s image in the world`s eyes in the past one year in terms of intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation.
Indonesia had set three priorities for its ASEAN chairmanship in in 2011, namely progress in efforts towards the formation of an ASEAN Community by 2015, strengthening ASEAN cohesiveness to realize an East Asian regional architecture, and contributing to the conclusion of global agreements.
"I think most of this agenda has been fulfilled," he said, adding that the accession of f Russia and the United States to the East Asia Forum was also a positive thing," he said.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
