"What Indonesia hopes for, which we cannot afford to not have, is peace and stability in the region. We hope all countries behave so that the situation in the region does not become tense. Again, we cannot afford to have such conditions in the region from an economic perspective. We plan to develop connectivity in the region," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi told newsmen here on Saturday.
She said that Indonesia was one of the countries that pushed for a code of conduct in the South China Sea so that all countries have a common view to safeguard their interests in the region without having to hurt others.
"On the South China Sea issue, we presented our principles clearly. We were in the forefront with regard to the creation of a declaration of conduct, among others, and will continue to pursue its realization," she added.
The minister reiterated that the connectivity Indonesia wished to develop would be linked with the region, adding that the president had already conveyed the idea at all the nine summits. He had emphasized on the South China Sea issue at both the ASEAN and ASEAN Plus summits, she stated.
Indonesia, the minister further noted, wished all countries concerned with the South China Sea would feel comfortable and safe.
"At least urgent issues that need immediate attention should be dealt with to contribute to how to behave in the South China Sea," she remarked.
President Joko Widodo has been on a tour abroad the last week to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China, the ASEAN and East Asia summits in Myanmar, and now the G-20 summit in Australia.
At the meetings President Joko Widodo conveyed Indonesias views and the measures to be taken in various fields, especially with regard to bilateral and multilateral relations, in the next five years.
(Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo & GNC Aryani/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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