Indonesia Supports Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship

Group photo of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Vietnam, Friday (17/1).

The Indonesian Government affirms its full support for Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2020 which adopts a theme ‘Cohesive and Responsive’.

“Indonesia is pleased to note that ASEAN has completed many lines of action for the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Community Blueprint. Midterm review of this year is a key step to ensure the full realization of the ASEAN Vision and its Blueprint,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said in ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Nha Trang, Vietnam, 16-17 January 2020.

As a follow-up of ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific, Indonesia asserted that it will hold an “ASEAN-WEF Forum on Indo-Pacific Infrastructure and Connectivity” in Jakarta, 7-9 July 2020. The Forum will involve governments and business sectors of ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions.

The Minister went on to say that Indonesia stressed that ASEAN must serve as an engine of peace and stability. “ASEAN must be consistent in ensuring peace and stability in that region including in South China Sea,” she added.

In that Retreat, ASEAN also agreed to ensure international laws including the 1982 UNCLOS are upheld by all sides in South China Sea.

Retno said that Indonesia also encourages ASEAN to mainstream the issues of women, peace, and stability. She added that Indonesia is slated to hold the second regional training on women, peace, and stability in 2020.

Regarding Vietnam’s chairmanship priority in 2020, Indonesia expected review on Term of Reference of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) can be completed under Vietnam’s chairmanship. Indonesia also encourages ASEAN to be more active and join hands to ensure the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) can be signed in 2020.

To promote ASEAN’s identity, awareness, and pride, Indonesia suggested ASEAN Identity Narrative which is being discussed in ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar can be adopted this year.

For the record, ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat is the first meeting organized by Vietnam in its chairmanship. By adopting ‘Cohesive and Responsive’ as a theme, ASEAN is expected to be able to preserve unity and strengthen its presence among the community. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs PR/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Yuyu Mulyani