VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi invited member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I conveyed that Indonesia is choosing to work together. Indonesia said that the mandate of ASEAN leaders is very clear, which is thinking and acting as a community. The ministers will implement that mandate,” Retno said on a press conference after the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Summit (AMM) on Wednesday.

In the health sector, Indonesia underlined the need for vaccine cooperation in the region, including through the ASEAN pharmaceutical and health industry research center and building regional health resilience.

Indonesia also emphasized that economic cooperation and revitalization of economic activities need to start while adhering to health protocols.

"Regarding the revitalization of economic activity, Indonesia suggested the ASEAN travel corridor. We have submitted the first draft of the ASEAN travel corridor, which has been supported by ASEAN member countries," Retno said.

If agreed, the travel corridor arrangement will facilitate business people, officials, and diplomats to travel and carry out economic activities in the region.

Finally, Indonesia emphasized the importance of intensive coordination and communication among ASEAN member countries to avoid sudden policies, which could damage the building of cooperation that ASEAN has long built. (Antaranews)