"Indonesia is pondering over the need to have a kind of friendly agreement and cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which can curb potential conflicts linked to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea," he noted at a press conference here on Thursday.
He emphasized that Indonesia will seek a change in the concept of handling territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific region, so that potential conflicts that exist will not cause more strain in the relations between the concerned countries.
"Regarding the conflicts in the East Asia and Asia-Pacific regions, Indonesia is of the viewpoint that three challenges must be dealt with, such as a sense of distrust, territorial disputes, and changes in the regions," he explained.
In view of that, Marty noted that a deal must be finalized between the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which emphasizes the importance of settling potential conflicts peacefully and discourages the use of force.
"The idea is still in its nascent stage. We will continue to communicate with the concerned countries, including the US," he added.
On the occasion, Marty explained that during the planned visit of US Secretary of State John F. Kerry to Indonesia, the developments in the disputes related to the Asia-Pacific region will also be discussed.
"In the meeting with Kerry, problems related to the Asia-Pacific, East Asia, and Southeast Asian regions will be discussed. So, it is very likely that the recent developments in disputes related to the South China Sea and East China Sea will be discussed," he reported.
Marty believes that the discussion of conflicts in the regions was a normal thing.
"It is a customary thing. The developments in South China Sea and East China Sea as well as the other Asian regions have become the topic of discussion under the bilateral format or at the ASEAN conference or ASEAN plus One meeting," he stated.
Reporting by Yuni Arisandy
(Y012/H-YH/INE/H-YH)
EDITED BY INE
(KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
