Opening the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi: ASEAN Unity is Still Well Maintained

President Joko Widodo opened the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta. (Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo ensured that the integrity of ASEAN unity was well maintained, although he said he did not rule out the possibility of differences of opinion, when opening the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Tuesday.

"Lately I often hear questions regarding ASEAN, will ASEAN be divided and unable to unite? Will the ASEAN ship be able to continue moving?" said President Jokowi in his opening speech, Tuesday, September 5.

"As a family member and Chair of ASEAN, I want to emphasize that ASEAN unity is still well maintained," stressed President Jokowi.

"Unity should not be interpreted as the absence of differences of opinion," added President Jokowi.

President Jokowi further said, for Indonesia, unity is harmony in differences, including differences of opinion, because it fosters democracy, showing equal standing.

"I see that equality has become a rare thing in the world. Many injustices and conflicts occur due to a lack of equality," said President Jokowi.

"But in ASEAN it is different, equality is actually the main value that we respect and uphold together within the framework of unity and togetherness so that the great ship of ASEAN can continue to move forward," he stressed.

President Jokowi said, with world conditions not being well, future challenges are increasingly difficult, resulting in a struggle for influence by big powers.

But, he continued, ASEAN had agreed not to be a proxy for any power, to work together with anyone for peace and prosperity.

"Don't make our ship, ASEAN, an arena for rivalry that destroys each other. But, make this ASEAN ship a field to foster cooperation to create prosperity, create stability, create peace, not only for the region but also for the world," said the President Jokowi.

On this occasion, President Jokowi also invited ASEAN partners to jointly realize equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, to sail together towards the 'Epicentrum of Growth'.