President Jokowi Attends 28th & 29th ASEAN Summit in Laos
President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi arrives in Vientiane, Laos, on Monday (5/9)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo, First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, and the entourage on Monday (5/9) 9:45 pm local time arrived at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane, Laos, to attend the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit.
Upon arrival, the President and the First Lady were welcomed by the Chief of Protocol of Laos, Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Laos Irmawan Emir Wisnandar as well as Indonesian Defense Attaché to Laos Col. A.B. Tiranda.
In Laos, President Jokowi is scheduled to attend several events, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said on Monday (5/9).
Based on the schedule, the President will attend 19 events within the next 3 days, including several meetings and other agendas, Retno said.
In this years ASEAN Summit, Retno added, President Jokowi will speak about the importance of peace, stability and security, and also emphasize the unity and centrality in ASEAN.
In the previous ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, Indonesia has adopted mutual communication, and ASEAN Statement on regional security and stability, Retno said.
In order to respond to new dynamics, Indonesia needs to remind all the importance of strengthening regional security architecture, Retno said adding despite the signing of Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the Bali Declaration and other agreements, the question whether or not Indonesia can address the dynamics challenges in Southeast Asia remains.
Retno added that those are the points that will be delivered by Indonesian Government, which is on the strengthening of many aspects, particularly on region context in Southeast Asia.
Therefore, there will be no distrust that will lead to potential conflict, and raising tension, the Minister added explaining the position of Indonesia in this years ASEAN Summit.
Concluding her statement, Retno said that with stability and security, Southeast Asia and its surrounding regions is expected to have prosperity and higher economic growth than the average global economic growth.
Also joining the President during Laos visit were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, and Presidential Communication Staff Johan Budi.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukito and Head of National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Sutiyoso were among the ministers entourage who welcomed the President in Vientiane.
In Laos, President Jokowi stayed at ASEM Villa, Vientiane, while the Ministers and other delegates stayed at Don Chan Palace in Vientiane. (EN/UN)(RAS/EP/YM/Naster)
