ASEAN plus Three is Main Key to Peace and Stability in the Region: President Jokowi
President Jokowi in a joint photo session with leaders of ASEAN Plus Three member countries in APT Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, (7/9). (Photo by: Laily/Presidential Secretariat)
The ASEAN plus Three (APT) is the main key to peace and stability in the region because ASEAN countries, along with China, South Korea and Japan greatly determine peace and stability in the region, saidPresident Joko Jokowi Widodoin 19thASEAN plus Three (APT) Summit in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday (7/9).
In the meantime, Minister of Foreign Affairs RetnoMarsudi in her statement on Wednesday (7/9) said that President Jokowi stressed that the APT must be able to become a guardian of peace and stability in the region; thus, the President called on APT member countries to strengthen mutual trust.
President Jokowi called on all APT member countries to continue strengthening mutual trust among member countries, to restrain from actions that can escalate tension, to respect international laws, to resolve conflicts in peaceful ways, and to prioritize cooperation to bring welfare, Retno said, adding that political stability and regional security will ensure continued prosperity that has been enjoyed by APT member countries so far.
Retno added, related to economic cooperation, President Jokowi said that Indonesia is quite proud of and happy with the achievement that the APT has made.
President Jokowi cited the example in the trade sector in 2015, in which trade volume of APT member countries reached US$708.6 billion, while investment value reached US31 billion.
We should be grateful that economic cooperation among APT member countries can record positive and stable growth amidst global economic slowdown, President Jokowi said.
Therefore, to ensure economic stability, President Jokowi called for the strengthening of trade sector and investment, as well as efforts in providing the safety net in strategic sectors such as finance and food security.
Furthermore, to ensure financial stability, President Jokowi also urged for greater contribution from APT member countries in the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) and the ASEAN Bond Market Initiative.
For the record, the APT was established in 1997 as one of the measures to tackle economic crisis that gripped Asia at that time and was expected to support ASEAN unity and centrality to establish the ASEAN Economic Community. (EN/ES)
