ASEAN Expected to Offer Concrete Results, Says Indonesian FM

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Jakarta, 23 Jumadil Awwal 1438/20 February 2017 (MINA) – During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting Retreat on Feb 20-21 in Boracay, the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi expected that the member countries would deliver concrete results to society.

“Indonesia supports the Philippines, as the ASEAN chair, and its priorities proposed for 2017. The ASEAN Ministers Meeting (AMM) will not only provide an opportunity to foreign ministers of member countries to discuss priorities for 2017 but will also set the tone for the work to be carried out by the ASEAN,” Antara quoted Marsudi as saying in a release here on Monday.

The AMM Retreat is the first foreign ministerial meeting of the ASEAN under the chairmanship of the Philippines in 2017.

The Philippines has set six priorities for the ASEAN during its chairmanship: People-Oriented, People Centered ASEAN; Peace and Stability in the Region; Maritime Security and Cooperation; Inclusive, Innovation-led Growth; ASEANs Resiliency; and ASEAN: A Model of Regionalism, A Global Player.

During the meeting, Minister Marsudi will address several issues, such as the follow-up of the 28th and 29th ASEAN summits, the Philippines priorities in 2017, external relations of the ASEAN, and several regional and international issues.

Indonesia will highlight the importance of ASEAN member countries to deliver concrete results to society.

The ASEAN should also strengthen its unity and centrality in facing regional and global challenges.

Several issues to be put forth by Indonesia are maritime security, ASEAN economic cooperation, and protection of migrant workers. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)