Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized on Sunday the importance of a partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan to maintain regional stability and peace.During the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo, he highlighted ASEAN’s potential as a world economic center with an economic growth of 4.5 percent, the world’s highest rate. He also underlined that ASEAN is the world’s third-most populated region and half of its population is under 30 years old. “However, this capital (demographic dividend) will be in vain if stability and peace are not maintained, so the ASEAN-Japan partnership must become part of the solution to maintain stability and peace,” he said, as quoted in a written statement from the Presidential Secretariat. On that occasion, he outlined three ways to maintain stability and peace. First, he underscored the importance of inclusive collaboration, considering that ASEAN is seeking to make the Indo-Pacific region seen as a region that has cooperation potential that supports peace. To achieve this, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and other inclusive collaboration initiatives must continue to be encouraged, he noted. “I welcome the plan of the Trilateral Mechanism Summit between Japan, China, and South Korea as a form of dialogue that should be further encouraged,” he said. The second way is by respecting international laws. Jokowi stated that the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the conflict in Ukraine are the result of non-compliance with international laws. “We must prevent open conflicts in the region by complying with international laws and rules, including UNCLOS 1982, and regional norms,” he stated. The third way is by strengthening ASEAN’s centrality as an anchor of regional peace and stability. Japan’s support as ASEAN’s partner is essential, including in resolving the Myanmar issue through a troika mechanism, he added. Jokowi expressed optimism that joint efforts between ASEAN and Japan can reach the shared goals of common security, stability, and prosperity in the region. “Let us continue to bolster collaboration and cooperation for the prosperity and welfare of our people,” he said. During the summit, Jokowi was accompanied by several ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
Source: Antara News Agency