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Indonesia's Seeks US Cooperation in Indo-Pacific Context
Written by Ani Hasanah
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi at a press conference held on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit in the IMPACT Arena, Nonthaburi, Thailand, Monday. (Nov 4, 2019).
ANTARA
Indonesia has invited the United States to establish concrete cooperation in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific that encompasses the four main sectors of maritime, economy, Sustainable Development Goals, and connectivity.
The statement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who was representing Indonesia at the 7th ASEAN-US Summit in the IMPACT Arena, Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Monday.
"We spoke of the US having a financial scheme, through the International Development Finance Corporation, that is used to fund partnerships in the sectors of infrastructure, digital connectivity, and energy in the Indo-Pacific region," Minister Marsudi told reporters.
The ASEAN, home to a population of 647 million, is the third-largest economy in the Indo-Pacific and the fifth-largest in the global stage.
The minister also remarked that South-East Asia had better political stability and economic growth, as well as a bigger population belonging to the productive age group, as compared to other regions.
"With such potentials, establishing partnership with the ASEAN would not only be beneficial for the region but also for the US," she noted.
During the meeting, Indonesia expressed hope for the trade war between the US and China to soon be resolved, so as to avoid its impact on nations across the globe.
In the meantime, the US government, represented by the National Security Adviser Robert Charles O'Brien, reiterated the US' commitment to a strategic partnership with the ASEAN and its role in the Indo-Pacific region.
"As stated in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, we share the same vision for the future for this diverse and dynamic region based on respect for sovereignty, commitment to good governance, and compliance with the rule of law," O'Brien, who was appointed as the special envoy of President Donald Trump to attend this year's ASEAN-US Summit, stated.
In addition, President Trump extended invitations to leaders of ASEAN countries to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit, scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2020. (ANTARA)
