President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has encouraged ASEAN-Canada strong partnership to develop into strategic partnership by realizing more areas of concrete cooperation.

“Cooperation in the context of Indo-Pacific can become one of the kick-off projects between ASEAN and Canada,” he said during the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit which was attended by ASEAN leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday, according to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat’s Press Bureau,

The President said security issue in the Indo-Pacific region is very important. However, economic and development issues are also equally important.

“ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) has four cooperation priorities—connectivity, maritime (aspect), attainment of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and trade and investment. Canada may become an ASEAN partner in implementing AOIP,” he said.

He said Indonesia will become the ASEAN chairman and hold Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum in 2023.

“Indonesia invites Canada to participate in the forum,” he said.

The head of state underscored the importance of establishing concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation amidst the inconducive global condition

During the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Minister/State Secretary Pratikno.

Source: Antara News