President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with a delegation led by ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi at Merdeka Palace here on Friday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who was also present at the meeting, said that Lim Jock Hoi’s visit was aimed at expressing his gratitude for Indonesia’s support to ASEAN when he served as secretary general.
“The most apparent and most beneficial support is Indonesia’s contribution to the construction of the new ASEAN Secretariat,” Marsudi said.
The construction of the new building is expected to boost the performance of the ASEAN Secretariat, she added.
“ASEAN meetings can be held in Jakarta at the ASEAN Secretariat Building,” she said.
During the meeting, Lim Jock Hoi expressed confidence that Indonesia could become a good ASEAN chair in 2023, she added. The theme of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship, “Epicentrum of Growth,” was considered fitting as the focus of discussion.
“The ASEAN secretary general stated that the economic development in each ASEAN country is quite promising. With such promising economic development, the theme of Indonesia’s chairmanship, ‘Epicentrum of Growth,’ is very appropriate to (be highlighted),” she informed.
Marsudi said that this Friday, Lim Jock Hoi officially ended his duties as secretary general of ASEAN. In January 2023, he will return to Indonesia to hand over to the new secretary general, she added.
“Dato Lim Jock Hoi will leave Indonesia today to end his duties as ASEAN secretary general and will return again in early January 2023 to hand over as secretary general to the new ASEAN secretary general from Cambodia,” she informed.
During the meeting, the President was accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno.
Source: Antara News