Indonesian Foreign Minister: ASEAN Credibility Depends On Ability To Maintain Peace And Regional Stability

Foreign Minister Sugiono while attending AMM in Malaysia. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the credibility of the reason will depend on his ability to maintain peace and stability in the region.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) on Sunday (25/5), before the ASEAN 46th Summit series at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malaysia.

Foreign Minister Sugiono on this occasion emphasized the importance of ASEAN cohesivity and solidity in dealing with geopoltic tensions and global economic fragmentation.

"ASEAN's credibility will depend on its ability to maintain peace and stability in the region," said Foreign Minister Sugiono in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Sugiono further underlined the importance of updating ASEAN's commitment to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) which is the basic foundation for the architecture of peace in the region.

Foreign Minister Sugiono encouraged ASEAN to take substantive steps, not only procedural in nature, especially ahead of the 50th anniversary of next year's TAC.

Regarding ASEAN's relationship with ASEAN partners, Foreign Minister Sugiono also emphasized the importance of maintaining ASEAN's relevance and centrality amid various external partnership initiatives.

Therefore, Indonesia encourages the adoption of ASEAN Decision on Enhancing Relations with External Partners documents which will serve as a guide in strengthening ASEAN's external camps with its partners.

"ASEAN requires a focused partnership and continues to follow the ASEAN-led corridor," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

It is known that the AMM meeting this time was attended by ASEAN Foreign Ministers, Timor Leste and the Secretary General of ASEAN. Meanwhile, the Myanmar delegation was represented by a non-political representative.

AMM this time succeeded in adopting Guidelines to Facility Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments under the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, as well as Addendum to the SEANWFZ Treaty.