Indonesia has succeeded in overseeing potential issues and economic cooperation agreements between ASEAN countries
West Manggarai – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) together with leaders of ASEAN member countries, succeeded in agreeing on a number of agreements and bilateral cooperation.
Indonesia hosted the 42nd ASEAN Summit, to be precise at Labiun Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. This moment is of course a golden opportunity to prove Indonesia’s ability in diplomacy as well as to lead ASEAN in 2023.
President Jokowi held a number of bilateral meetings, including with Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Sen and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Together with Cambodia, Indonesia is committed to increasing economic cooperation.
This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi through his official statement to the press in Labuan Bajo.
“The first issue, the President said Indonesia’s commitment to increase economic cooperation through Indonesia’s involvement in infrastructure development projects in Cambodia,” said Retno (10/5).
In addition, the President expressed his gratitude for saving Indonesian citizens (WNI) victims of human trafficking. That way, it can help Indonesia in handling human trafficking, especially from online fraud or online scams.
Previously, President Jokowi had also held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi in her statement after accompanying the President in the bilateral meeting said that the President had conveyed the importance for the two countries to immediately resolve several aspects of sea and land borders.
“President Jokowi again reminded the importance of optimizing the One Channel System and protecting migrant workers in Malaysia,” said Retno.
Retno stated that the Malaysian PM also extended an invitation to President Jokowi to visit Malaysia.
Apart from the Malaysian PM, the Head of State also held a bilateral meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The meeting mostly discussed economic cooperation.
“The President gave an example of cooperation between Indonesian and Lao SOEs, including between PLN and Électricité du Laos, the procurement of aircraft from PT. DI by the Lao Air Force, and the procurement of trains from PT INKA by the Laos Public Company Petrotrade,” said Minister Retno.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of the two countries to enhance cooperation in eradicating trafficking in persons, which is currently common in ASEAN member countries.
To note, on the first day of the 2023 ASEAN Summit series of meetings, President Jokowi presided over five meetings of the 42nd ASEAN 2023 Summit.
