Jokowi: ASEAN Cooperation With Japan Is Not Just Small talk

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the cooperation between ASEAN and Japan was not just ceremonial or small talk. Jokowi said, the cooperation that was established was mutually beneficial.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when opening the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan.

"ASEAN and Japan have agreed to form a comprehensive strategic partnership that is not just ceremonial and not just lip service, but instead takes the form of concrete cooperation that is mutually beneficial," he said.

Furthermore, Jokowi also said that Japan was one of the partner countries that was most active in supporting ASEAN. One of them is in supporting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

"Japan, as one of ASEAN's most active partners and the main supporter of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific, can be a major contributor in realizing concrete cooperation that has direct benefits for the people," he said.

In front of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other ASEAN heads of state, Jokowi said that ASEAN needed funds worth 184 billion US dollars or the equivalent of IDR 2,815 trillion per year (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 15,300 per dollar) to build infrastructure.

On this occasion, Jokowi also opened up opportunities for Japan to get involved in supporting infrastructure funding.

"ASEAN hopes that Japan can continue to increase its contribution to the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility to support connectivity and green infrastructure," Jokowi said.