"Indonesia has become a regional power and at the same time, a globally respected player," the head of state noted in his address before members of the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the Parliament Building here on Friday.
He explained that the nation has established strategic partnerships with all major countries and most of the worlds emerging powers.
"We also continue to seek a dynamic equilibrium in the region, so that the ongoing geopolitical shift may not lead to new tensions or conflict," he emphasized.
Yudhoyono, however, expressed concern that the stable and cooperative relations among major countries in the recent years has now begun to deteriorate.
He cited the example of the Ukrainian conflict that caused the MH17 airplane crash, the Middle East crisis, and the human tragedy in Gaza, Palestine.
"And now, the deadly Ebola virus poses a threat to any country on earth," he stressed.
The president stated that over the years, Indonesia has upheld the principle of free and active foreign policy, while fighting for justice and world peace and will continue this practice in the future.
In the surrounding region of Southeast Asia, Indonesia continuously contributes to strengthening ASEAN for the creation of a peaceful and prosperous region.
"Indonesia remains committed to ensuring that we are ready towards the realization of the ASEAN Community 2015 in three pillars: politics and security, economy, and socio-culture," he noted.
As the realization of the ASEAN Community 2015 is scheduled to come into effect on 31 December 2015, he called on all Indonesian entrepreneurs, laborers, local governments, university students, civil society, and artists to propagate it more actively, so that they will be able to understand all the opportunities and challenges.
He emphasized that Indonesia should also derive maximum advantages and benefits from its communal communities comprising 600 million people.
(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
