Indonesia Successfully Inserting the Maritime Cooperation as a Priority in the East Asia Summit

President Jokowi among the participants of the East Asia Summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday (22/11). Photo: Cahyo/Setpres

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveys two things are considered very important for the future of East Asia Summit. First, promote maritime cooperation as a new priority in the cooperation between East Asia Summit.

“Maritime cooperation is very strategic, because it is in line with the initiative of Indonesia regarding the World Maritime Axis, has a direct impact on the stability, security and prosperity in the region,” President Jokowi said in the East Asia Summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday (22/11).

President Jokowi also gave appreciation to the entire of the East Asia Summit countries on the support provided to the initiative of Indonesia regarding EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation that will be endorsed at this summit.

“Statement of EAS is a political declaration that shows commitment of EAS participating countries to increase dialogue and cooperation in the field of maritime,” President Jokowi said as quoted by the Communications Team of President, Ari Dwipayana, in a press release on Sunday (22/11) afternoon.

It is recognized by President Jokowi, ratification of this document requires a follow up through concrete activities. “Therefore, I want to encourage the development of sustainable maritime economy, maritime connectivity, cooperation between research institutions, and addressing cross-border challenges,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi invites the EAS participating countries to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. For this reason, President Jokowi suggested the need to set up a legal instrument in the region to combat IUU fishing.

“I also want to encourage the strengthening of regional architecture that emphasizes the centrality of ASEAN,” President Jokowi said.

President also expressed Indonesia’s vision for the future in cooperation the EAS, namely strengthening cooperation handling of illegal migration/irregular movement of persons and the regional mechanism for disaster management and infectious diseases as well as support and also became co-sponsor Statement of the 10th East Asia Summit on Enhancing Regional Health Security Relating to Communicable Diseases Epidemic and Pandemic Potential with the initiative of the Republic of Korea. “I welcome the ratification of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th anniversary of the East Asia Summit,” President Jokowi said.

East Asia Summit was attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, President of USA Barack Obama, President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun Hye, Prime Minister of Japanese Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister of PRC Li Keqiang, Prime Minister of Australian Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the heads of State/head of ASEAN Government. (ES)/Sy.