VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The governments of Indonesia and the Philippines are committed to increasing cooperation in the border areas. President Joko Widodo said the leaders of the two countries agreed to review the two border security agreements.

This was conveyed by Jokowi at a press conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, at the Bogor Palace, Monday (5/9/2022). The two agreements include a border crossing agreement and a border patrol agreement.

The two countries are also committed to accelerating negotiations on delimitation of the continental shelf based on the 1982 international law of the sea (UNCLOS). There is also an agreement to encourage strengthening in the defense and security sector.

"I am pleased that we have renewed the trilateral cooperative arrangement (TCA) between Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia," the President said. According to the Head of State, this is very important in securing waterways from the threat of hostage-taking and kidnapping.

The two leaders also discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. "I emphasize the importance of strengthening the centrality and unity of ASEAN," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi stated that Indonesia wants to ensure that ASEAN continues to be the locomotive of stability, peace and prosperity in the region. "ASEAN must be able to overcome various challenges ahead and strengthen respect for the ASEAN charter," he said.

To strengthen ASEAN's centrality, the Head of State underlined the importance of implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. "Of course, through concrete and inclusive cooperation," he said. (RRI)