President Joko Widodo Appreciates India’s Commitment to ASEAN

President Joko Widodo amongst the leaders of ASEAN, Japan, PRC, and South Korea in ASEAN Plus Three Summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday (21/11). Picture: Cahyo/President Secretariat

President Joko Widodo expressed his appreciation for India’s commitment to ASEAN through Act-East Policy at the 13th ASEAN-India Summit, held at Convention Hall 1 Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, on Saturday (21/11).

Presidential Communication Team, Ari Dwipayana, in his press release on Saturday (21/11) afternoon, said that, on this occasion, the President delivered his observation on two main issues that need to be carried out.

First, according to the President, India is a partner on maritime cooperation. “ASEAN-India cooperation on maritime sector will give contribution to the region’s security,” the President affirmed as quoted by Ari Dwipayana.

President Joko Widodo also expected India’s support on the draft of East Asia Summit (EAS) Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation that was initiated by Indonesia, that will be approved at the 10th East Asia Summit. As the Chairman of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for 2015-2017, the President said that Indonesia wants to ensure the maritime cooperation which includes maritime security would be well- established.

Second issue that was observed by Indonesia was enhancing economic cooperation. In this regard, the President underlined the importance of the involvement of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

The President also suggested to mainstream the cooperation in Information Technology and medicine developmentsectors. In addition, trade target of US$ 200 billion is expected to be achieved in 2020.

ASEAN Plus Three

Meanwhile, when attending the 18th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturdday (21/11), President Joko Widodo proposed three priorities of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in the future, i.e. regional peace and security, tourism, and education sectors.

The President welcomed the organization of Trilateral Summit at the beginning of November 2015 as a political consultation between People’s Republic of China-Japan-Republic of Korea to give support to regional peace and security.

“This kind of interaction needs to be encouraged in order to overcome various security challenges in the region, President Joko Widodo said as quoted by Ari Dwipayana in his press release, on Saturday (21/11) afternoon.

In tourism cooperationsector, the President welcomed the plan of the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) of ASEAN Plus Three for tourism cooperation in 2016. “It will enhance tourism cooperation and it is expected to achieve the target up to US$ 3.5 trillion in 2024,” the President said.

President Joko Widodo also expected that cooperation in education can reduce the gap in the quality of education by encouraging the formation of university network in the region. “We have to emphasize the enhancement of people-to-people contacts by collaboration with think-tank institution, academician, and civil society,” the President said.

The President also appreciated the support of ASEAN Plus Three to Indonesia’s initiative on EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation that would be approved on the 10th East Asia Summit. “I believe, the effective and concrete cooperation of ASEAN Plus Three will bring peace and prosperity to East Asia region,” the President said.

The President also appreciated the full support of Plus Three countries in the effort of development and manifestation of the 2015 ASEAN Community.

Also attending the event were Prime Minister of Malaysia, Chairman of ASEAN Najib Abdul Razak, the Heads of State and Heads of Government of ASEAN Plus Three countries, Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, and President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun Hye. (MMB/YM/Naster)