Foreign Minister: The Emphasis, Indonesia Wants Peace in the South China Sea Region

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi provide explanations related to the President’s statement Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the South China Sea, which is quoted by number of mass media.

To the reporters that intercepted her on the sidelines accompanying of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to Japan, Foreign Minister explained that the President’s statement were saying that China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea has no basis in international law, the emphasis is on how the peace in the region could be realized.

“The emphasis for Indonesia is that stability and peace in the region can be realized. Well, that’s what always emphasized by Indonesia, and as the President had to say that, there is not any overlapping claims with China. That’s the need to be underlined, “said Retno told to reporters at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday (24/3).

With no overlapping claims, Minister of Foreign said, it will make us easier to move. Therefore, as submitted by the President, since the beginning we already offered to be a mediator to help facilitate on this issue, if needed.

Foreign Minister asserted, in order to ensure that peace and stability in the South China Sea region is realized, then the duty of ASEAN is continue to encourage the implementation of the declaration of conduct, and also soon to start the negotiations for a code of conduct (COC).

Recognized by the Foreign Minister, at the beginning of 2010 indeed the government of Indonesia, and this is also done by some other countries, sent a letter to UN Secretary General to inquire about the basis of making the nine dot line.

“So it was that made by Indonesia in 2010 ago. So that everything is clear, there is no misinterpretation of Indonesia’s position on the South China Sea,” Retno said. (Humas Setkab/ES)