VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: ASEAN leaders adopted 11 documents at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta. Of the 11 agreed documents, one is related to the 4th ASEAN Concord, ASEAN Matters related to Human Rights and 9 documents related to the Epicenter of Growth.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained that the first document adopted by ASEAN leaders was the 4th ASEAN Concord as the foundation for the preparation of ASEAN Vision 2045. The second is a declaration on ASEAN human rights dialogue which is a new thing and is also an achievement of Indonesia.

"Indonesia is committed to advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, therefore we want the ASEAN human rights dialog to be carried out regularly," Retno told reporters in Jakarta, Tuesday (05/09/2023).

The third is a declaration on disability-inclusive development and partnership for a resilient ASEAN community. "The point is to encourage the participation of ASEAN communities in an inclusive manner, including persons with disabilities in development," she explained.

The fourth is the declaration on child protection and education in Southeast Asia, which shows ASEAN's determination to start education early. Furthermore, related to the declaration of gender equality and family development and the declaration on sustainable resilience, which includes strengthening food security and nutrition in response to crises, as well as on ASEAN as the epicenter of growth.

Furthermore, it agreed on Climate Change towards the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the end of November 2023.

"This document is ASEAN's commitment to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement in addressing climate change," Retno explained.

The leaders also agreed on statement documents related to Epicenter of Growth, Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises as well as the development of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.

"The ASEAN Blue Economy Framework is a new thing. So there is recognition that this Blue Economy Framework is a new source of sustainable development," Retno said.

In addition, according to Retno, this year Indonesia is developing a maritime agenda, including the ASEAN Maritime Outlook, the ASEAN Maritime Forum and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum meetings will be scheduled as annual meetings, as well as Guidelines to accelerate Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations in the South China Sea. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo encouraged the realization of concrete mutually beneficial cooperation between ASEAN and the People's Republic of China (PRC). According to him, China is one of the four ASEAN dialogue partners that has the status of a comprehensive strategic partner.

"We need to interpret all of this by realizing concrete mutually beneficial cooperation which can only be done if we have trust in each other which of course must be built and maintained by all parties," he said in his remarks at the 26th ASEAN-ROK Summit, in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023).

According to the President, this year also marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC). He said that mutual trust and concrete cooperation can be a force for regional peace.

"Trust and concrete cooperation can be a positive force for regional stability and peace," he said.

Meanwhile, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang on the same occasion said ASEAN and China have committed to be sincere in treating each other. According to him, trust between the two parties has also grown deeper.

"Sincerity is the key that opens our hearts and trust is the bridge that connects minds. No matter how the international situation develops, ASEAN and China have maintained close communication, respecting and accommodating each other's needs," he said.

Li Qiang added that ASEAN-ROK cooperation has grown rapidly as both sides have a deep understanding of the challenges faced, a strong desire to achieve peace and a strong aspiration for development and maintaining regional stability.

"ASEAN-ROK cooperation will continue to be strong against all challenges, and both sides will achieve greater progress in the cooperation," he concluded. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, encouraged the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and strengthening business relations between Indonesia and Serbia.

"To increase economic cooperation between the two countries, Indonesia encourages the establishment of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and encourages the strengthening of business relations between Indonesia and Serbia," Retno Marsudi told Siberian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and the 43rd ASEAN Summit, as quoted from the official statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (4/09/2023).

On the same occasion, Siberia signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and became the 52nd country to accede to the agreement. Related to this, Retno appreciated Serbia's accession to the TAC which was carried out right when Indonesia became Chair of ASEAN.

"Foreign Minister Retno invited Serbian businessmen to attend Trade Expo Indonesia and the Indonesia - Europe Business Forum which will be held in Jakarta in October 2023," the ministry wrote.

In addition, to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2024, the Siberian Foreign Minister specifically invited Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Siberia.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Serbia have been established since the Asian-African Conference in 1955. Both Ministers agreed that the Bandung spirit, cooperation among developing countries, and respect for international law are increasingly relevant and important in the midst of sharpening geopolitical contestation.

Serbia is one of Indonesia's largest trading partners in the Western Balkans region. The value of trade between Indonesia and Serbia in the first half of 2023 increased by 227% compared to the same period the previous year. (VOI/Ranov)

Vanuatu's new prime minister, Sato Kilman, will "revisit" a security pact signed with Australia, he said in an interview with Australian state broadcaster ABC on Tuesday, a day after he came to power in a vote by lawmakers.

The pact was a major reason for the ouster of former leader Ishmael Kalsakau, who lost a no-confidence motion in parliament and was then defeated by Kilman in a secret ballot on Monday.

Opposition lawmakers had said the security pact with Australia compromised Vanuatu's neutral status and could jeopardise development assistance from China, its biggest external creditor.

On Tuesday, Kilman said the agreement, signed by the two countries in December, would be unlikely to be ratified by parliament in its current state.

"I think for us, at this point in time, I am not sure whether it is in the best interests of Vanuatu or not, only because we have not been consulted," Kilman said in an interview with the ABC in Port Vila.

"My view would be to revisit the agreement with both sides, the Australians, and the Vanuatu government, and see if there's any sticking points and then address that," he said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Vanuatu is one of the Pacific island countries at the centre of competition for influence in the region between the United States and China.

The United States and its allies, including Australia, are seeking to discourage Pacific countries from establishing security ties with China, after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu's agreement with Australia includes closer cooperation on defence, border security, policing and aviation safety.

Australia respected Vanuatu's "sovereign decision-making processes" and looked forward to discussions with the new government over its issues with the security pact, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"Australia and Vanuatu share a deep security partnership... We will continue to work with Vanuatu to deliver mutual benefits and ensure our shared security."

A now five-time prime minister, Kilman pledged closer cooperation with China in previous stints as leader.

The ousted Kalsakau had sought to widen Vanuatu's international ties after winning a general election in November. (Reuters)