WNAM REPORT: Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin pushed for stronger cooperation between the ASEAN and Australia through the effective implementation of various bilateral economic agreements at the 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi made the statement at a press briefing in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday.
“The vice president pushed for effective implementation of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040,” she noted in a statement from her ministry.
Marsudi remarked that the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 is a step by Australia to make Southeast Asia as one of the priorities for strengthening economic cooperation until 2040.
She noted that at the meeting, held as part of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit, the vice president also encouraged stronger ASEAN-Australia cooperation in the fields of politics and security, especially related to efforts to handle terrorism and transnational crime.
In addition, she affirmed that the ASEAN continues to encourage strengthening cooperation with Australia in the fields of education and culture and increasing people-to-people contacts, including by optimizing the ASEAN-Australia Center.
Amin also expressed hope that Australia would remain committed to avoiding defense policies that trigger an arms race and tension in the region.
“The vice president also sought support from Australia for the issue of Palestine, including the issue related to the recognition of Palestine,” the minister noted.
Marsudi remarked that efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region are one of the important messages conveyed by Vice President Amin at various meetings during the ASEAN Summit, including meetings with ASEAN partner countries.
“These messages are becoming more important, considering the current situation in the world, where conflicts and wars are occurring in various parts of the world,” she remarked.
She highlighted that from 2024 to 2027, Indonesia will serve as coordinator for the ASEAN-Australia partnership after holding the role of a coordinator for the ASEAN-US partnership until 2023.
