VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A peaceful, stable and prosperous ecosystem must be formed in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean circles in the Indo Pacific Circle. This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo when speaking at the ASEAN - India Commemorative Summit at India Prime Minister Retreat session with the Head of State / Head of ASEAN Government in Rasthrapati Bhawan, Thursday, January 25, 2018.

"I believe through ASEAN-lead mechanism and through the ASEAN-India partnership,  a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region can be achieved," said the President.

The President further said the Indo-Pacific concept can naturally be developed based on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of ASEAN where all key countries have become parties to the treaty.

"The development of the Indo-Pacific concept, should also be carried out openly, transparently, inclusively based on the habit of dialogue; based on the desire to work together and uphold the international law, "the President said.

With such a concept, the President continued, unhealthy rivalry that can lead to "power projection" can be avoided. 

The development of the Indo-Pacific concept would be good if carried out through a building block approach, among others by strengthening bilateral and plural-lateral cooperation such as ASEAN-India, strengthening regional mechanisms such as IORA in the Indian Ocean, and ASEAN-lead Mechanisms, especially East Asia Summit (EAS) Pacific Ocean; Linkage and integration of the mechanisms of cooperation between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

"The strengthening of building blocks will also create an Indo-Pacific region that became one of the main sources of economic growth, trade and industrial centers of the world," said President.

The President underscored that maritime cooperation is key in the development of Indo-Pacific region architecture and Indonesia has a strong commitment in enhancing maritime cooperation through both IORA and EAS.

"I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for India's support for ASEAN's centrality. I am optimistic that ASEAN and India will be the backbone of Indo-Pacific cooperation," said the President.

At the beginning of his speech, the President said that last year, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. At the same time we also commemorate 25 years of ASEAN-India partnership.

"If for the past 50 years, ASEAN has succeeded in creating a peace and welfare ecosystem in Southeast Asia then the ASEAN-India partnership should also be able to contribute equally to the wider region," the President said.

Also present at the ASEAN - India Commemorative Summit were  President Joko Widodo and Mrs. Iriana, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita. (Release of Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat)