Emphasizing the Importance of Maritime Stability in the Indo-Pacific, Foreign Minister Retno: We Must Prevent the Epicentrum of Conflict

The 11th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum in Bali. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed the importance of maritime stability in the Indo-Pacific region, instead of making it the center of conflict because of the conflicting interests of major countries.

"The interests of major countries often clash in the Indo-Pacific maritime region. Failure to address these challenges could threaten peace and stability in the region," said Foreign Minister Retno at the opening of the 11th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) meeting in Bali, Thursday, August 2.

"We must prevent this area from becoming the epicenter of conflict. The maritime dimension plays a key role in making this region the epicenter of growth," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno also conveyed the importance of a shared vision to become a guide in the Indo-Pacific maritime region.

"First, ensuring the realization of seas of peace, through the consistent application of international law and ensuring no action threatens the security of other parties," she explained.

"Second, realizing oceans of cooperation as a catalyst in building trust and sustainable peace. In this regard, The ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) plays a central role in encouraging cooperation in the maritime domain, including the blue economy sector, maritime security and support the welfare of coastal residents," explained Foreign Minister Retno.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno also encouraged EAMF to become a forum for developing and strengthening policy synergies, related to maritime cooperation and governance in the Indo-Pacific.

"All stakeholders must participate in realizing this goal," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile, the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Sidharto Suryodipuro, conveyed the importance of building trust, as well as ASEAN's active role and centrality in shaping maritime policies and governance in the region.

"ASEAN has also just launched the inaugural edition of the ASEAN Maritime Outlook (AMO), which summarizes various progress and directions of ASEAN maritime cooperation in one comprehensive document," he explained.

It is known that this time the EAMF was attended by representatives of high-ranking officials from all ASEAN countries, as well as eight partner countries, namely the United States, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China and New Zealand.