VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Yoshihide Suga affirmed his full support for the ASEAN Outlook on Indonesia concept, which was pioneered by Indonesia and will adopt it.

"Japan fully supports the ASEAN Outlook on Indopacific, which Indonesia pioneered for adoption," said PM Yoshihide Suga in a joint press statement with Indonesian President Jokowi after a bilateral meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday.

PM Suga said Japan had fundamental similarities to the vision of a free and open Indopacific.

He added, based on this, Japan will cooperate with Indonesia ahead of the related ASEAN Summit, which will be held in November 2020.

In addition, he said, Japan together with Indonesia, which is a maritime country in the Indopacific region and a strategic partner, Japan will encourage further cooperation including efforts to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak.

"In the meeting with President Jokowi, I emphasized Japan's determination to initiate efforts to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region by mentioning ASEAN plays an important role in realizing a free and open Indopacific," he said.

Furthermore, he said Japan would cooperate and join hands with Indonesia for the realization of regional peace and prosperity based on a two-state strategic partnership.

PM Suga also hopes that his visit this time will strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries. (Antaranews)