President Jokowi Asks US to Become ASEAN’s Strategic Partner

President Jokowi attends a luncheon with leaders of ASEAN countries, Speaker of US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and members of the US Congress at Capitol Hill, Washington DC, Thursday (05/12). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo invites the United States of America to be a part of the effort to create peace, stability, and mutually beneficial inclusive cooperation in Indo-Pacific.

The President conveyed the statement while delivering his remarks in a bipartisan working lunch with leaders of ASEAN countries and US Congress members including Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., Thursday (05/12).

“Since 2019, ASEAN has agreed the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, ensuring the continuity of peace and stability in Indo-Pacific. I invite the US to continue to be a part of the anchor of peace and stability in Indo-Pacific,” President Jokowi addressed.

According to the President, ASEAN has been enjoying peace and stability for over five decades and is also working hard to build a region that puts cooperation first.

“Win-win paradigm must be fought for, a culture of dialogue must be strengthened, inclusive cooperation must be prioritized, and international laws and multilateral values must be a commander,” he said.

Before the US Congress members, the President also talked about the war in Ukraine that affects the global economy, including food and energy price surges as well as inflation.

“The Ukrainian war has led to a dreadful humanitarian crisis that affects the global economy,” he asserted, adding that if international laws are not adhered to, multilateralism is abandoned, and unilateralism is put first, the war in Ukraine can occur in other regions, including Indo-Pacific.

Closing his remarks, President Jokowi invited the US to continue to become ASEAN’s strategic partner.

“We would also like the US to become ASEAN’s strategic partner for mutually beneficial and inclusive cooperation. I am certain that we can witness the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region,” he remarked.

President Jokowi was given the honor to be the first to speak and introduce ASEAN leaders who attended the event. Afterward, along with Speaker Pelosi, President Jokowi chaired the meeting. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/HD)