VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi said at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat meeting in Nha Trang, Vietnam, (16-17 January 2020) that the Indonesian government emphasized full support for Vietnam's leadership this year. The meeting highlighted a theme "Cohesive and Responsive". As quoted by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, kemlu.go.id, in the meeting, Minister Retno Marsudi explained, Indonesia is happy to note that ASEAN has completed many lines of action of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Community Blueprint. This year's mid-term review is a major step to ensure the full realization of the ASEAN Vision and its Blueprint. In addition, she added as a follow-up to ASEAN's views on the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia said that it would hold an ASEAN-World Economic Forum on Indo-Pacific Infrastructure and Connectivity in Jakarta on 7-9 July 2020. This meeting will involve the governments and businesspeople of ASEAN and Indo-Pacific countries. Indonesia also emphasized that ASEAN must remain an engine of peace and stability. According to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, ASEAN must be consistent in ensuring peace and stability in the region, including in the South China Sea. At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, ASEAN agreed to ensure that international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is respected by all parties.

Besides， Indonesia also encourages ASEAN to prioritize the issues of women, peace and security. Indonesia will hold a second regional training on women, peace and security this year. Regarding Vietnam's priority for leadership in 2020, Indonesia hopes that the AICHR Term of Reference review can be completed under Vietnam's leadership. Indonesia also encouraged ASEAN to more actively collaborate in ensuring the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to be signed in 2020.

In promoting ASEAN's identity, awareness and pride, Indonesia proposes the adoption of an ASEAN Narratives on ASEAN Identity which is currently being discussed at the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat was the first meeting held by Vietnam during its presidency. Through the theme "Cohesive and Responsive", ASEAN is expected to be able to strengthen unity and boost its presence in the community.