ASEAN continues to be a priority in Indonesia’s foreign policy in 2018 with the focus on strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality, said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on 9 January at an annual international press conference that was often held at the beginning of a year.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Source: newsweek.com)

Indonesia will fully support the ASEAN chairmanship of Singapore this year and actively work with ASEAN and China to produce a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea for the sake of stability and security in the East Sea, she said.

In addition, the country will also encourage the establishment of a Plan of Action to implement ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, and an ASEAN Extradition Treaty.

According to the minister, this year, the world will still be faced with numerous challenges, including political security instability.

Therefore, Indonesia has high expectations of the UN’s role in maintaining the world’s peace, she added.

“Indonesia wants the ecosystem of peace, stability, prosperity to be established not only in ASEAN, but also in the Indian and Pacific Oceans Rims or the Indo-Pacific,” said Marsudi. “Therefore, together with ASEAN, Indonesia will contribute in advancing a strong positive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific”.

The country will enhance its peace and humanitarian diplomacy for a more peaceful and stable world, she affirmed.

(Source: VNA)