VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged ASEAN and New Zealand to strengthen cooperation in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, including the Pacific region. 

The statement was made by Foreign Minister Retno during the ASEAN - New Zealand Post Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 56 ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, on Thursday (13/7) in Jakarta.

In the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno welcomed the signing of the ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) amendment.

Regarding stability in the Pacific, Foreign Minister Retno stated that the stability of the Pacific region is an integral part of stability in the Indo-Pacific. She stated that ASEAN must assist the Pacific countries in facing various development challenges, including climate change and maritime issues.

Therefore, ASEAN and New Zealand must strengthen cooperation to uphold strategic trust in the region and uphold international law, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We hope that New Zealand will continue to support the centrality of ASEAN in shaping the regional order and promoting collaboration in the Pacific," Foreign Minister Retno said.

"We must ensure concrete cooperation that is in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)," she added.

Minister Retno also expects New Zealand to play a role in bridging ASEAN cooperation in the Pacific, including on the plan for cooperation between the secretariats of ASEAN and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

During the meeting, ASEAN countries emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of economy, maritime affairs, and marine issues, fulfilling commitments to the Paris Agreement, counter-terrorism cooperation, and combating human trafficking. They also expect New Zealand to support ASEAN's common position on the South China Sea.

The ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific was adopted by the ASEAN-New Zealand Foreign Ministers in the meeting, highlighting the importance of inclusive collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. (VOI/Andy)