JAKARTA, July 14 (NNN-Bernama) — ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn and foreign ministers attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) paid a courtesy call on Indonesian President Joko Widodo early Friday, expressing their unwavering commitment to support Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year.
The ASEAN Secretariat in a statement said the visit took place in conjunction with the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Jakarta from July 11-14.
“The Ministers reaffirmed commitment to support Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year under the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” with a view to achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, as well as in finalising the post-2025 Vision, ” the statement read.
BERNAMA’S correspondent in Jakarta reported that Jokowi during the courtesy call remarked that ASEAN cannot be the battleground of rivalry and the proxy for any nation.
He said the international laws should be adhered to in a consistent manner so that the region remained peaceful and stable.
Jokowi is confident that ASEAN has the potential to emerge as the ‘epicentrum of growth’ but needed the support of developed nations and friends, including “doing away from the zero-sum approach and adopt the win-win approach”.
ASEAN Secretariat in the same statement said earlier Dr Kao had met with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt on the sidelines of the 56th AMM.
Both commended the steady progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (2021-2025) which serves as the basis for cooperation between both sides.
Meanwhile, the Joint Communique of the 56th AMM reaffirmed the grouping’s commitment to strengthen ASEAN as an organisation that is robust and agile, and equipped with strengthened capacity and institutional effectiveness.
This is to address present challenges and to remain credible and relevant for its people, the region, and the world while continuing to serve as the region’s epicentre of growth and prosperity.
The meeting also reaffirmed the grouping’s commitment to the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, while reaffirming commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community, its unity and Centrality.
Malaysia was represented by its Foreign Minister Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at the 56th AMM and Related Meetings which is seen as a good platform for Malaysia to share and exchange views with ASEAN member countries on issues of common interest, including efforts towards economic recovery, global supply chains, food security, climate change and energy transition.
— NNN-BERNAMA