I am convinced the document will be a historic milestone for strengthening APEC regional cooperation and integration."Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - The agreement to strengthen connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, initiated by Indonesia in the APEC Summit 2013 round, will provide important and historic momentum for the process of integration in the region, Marty Natalegawa said.
"I am convinced the document will be a historic milestone for strengthening APEC regional cooperation and integration," the Indonesian foreign minister noted in a written statement received here on Monday.
At the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oct. 4-5, Indonesia proposed an APEC Framework on Connectivity (AFC), which is considered a strategic step to reaffirm the commitment of APEC economic leaders in advancing physical, institutional, and individual connectivity across and around the Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC ministers agreed that a regional integrated inter-economic network must be well maintained.
"With detailed plans and strong implementation efforts by each economy, higher growth would be immediately achieved in an optimal, sustainable manner," he said.
The AFC document will be submitted to the APEC economic leaders during their meeting on Oct. 7-8.
The connectivity plan is closely linked with Indonesia`s Master Plan for the Acceleration of Indonesia`s Economic Development and its Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
With the AFC, it is hoped that a strong economic interaction network will branch out across the Asia-Pacific region.
(Tz. I029/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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