Increasing Investment to Protect Migrant Workers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Outlines a Series of RI Agreements with Several ASEAN Summit Countries
Labuan Bajo – The 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, has brought a myriad of joint commitments between countries which are predicted to have a positive domino effect for regional countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, in Labuan Bajo (9/5) presented a number of agreements, from investment agreements to economic agreements and sustainable environmentally friendly energy transfers.
“The agreement with Vietnam seeks to meet the trade target of USD 15 billion for 2028. We are optimistic that this target can be met on condition that all trade restrictions or trade barriers can be reduced if not completely eliminated,” said Foreign Minister Retno.
Then, bilateral investment treaty negotiations were immediately carried out because now both parties’ investment has increased. Do not forget, cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy, as well as finalizing implementation arrangements and the ratification process for the completion of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) negotiations between the two countries.
President Joko Widodo, according to Foreign Minister Retno, really appreciates the presence of Timor Leste which is the first time he has participated in the ASEAN Summit and is optimistic about economic cooperation, especially in the border areas of the two countries. Timor Leste also appreciates Indonesia’s support again.
“A Joint Working Group will be formed to prepare for the development of an economic area on the border of the two countries. The President also reminded us of the importance of completing land boundary negotiations, and Timor Leste would like to thank Indonesia for Indonesia’s support for Timor Leste’s membership,” Foreign Minister Retno continued.
Foreign Minister Retno also revealed that during Indonesia’s chair at this ASEAN Summit, the roadmap for Timor Leste to become a full member was agreed upon and it was hoped that Timor Leste could meet the existing official criteria.
Meanwhile with Malaysia, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed the settlement of several areas for sea borders and land borders, affirming the one channel system, and protecting Indonesian migrant workers who work in Malaysia.
“With Laos, economic cooperation, Indonesian BUMN cooperation with Laos, including cooperation between PLN and Électricité du Laos, then the procurement of aircraft from PT. DI for the Lao air force, as well as the procurement of trains from PT. INKA for Petrotrade Laos Public Company,” he said.
The two countries, according to Foreign Minister Retno, are also increasing cooperation in eradicating trafficking-in-person which is currently rife in ASEAN member countries.
A series of agreements and collaborations show the support of ASEAN countries for Indonesia’s chairmanship this year.
The ASEAN summit started with five meetings chaired by President Joko Widodo. The five consist of summit meetings in plenary format, and four interface meetings, each with parliament, with youth, with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) namely with businesses, and also with the high-level task force.
Then three meetings, consisting of a summit meeting in the form of a retreat and two sub-regional meetings, namely the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), where two of which were chaired by President Joko Widodo.
