President Jokowi Invites The United States To Become A Positive Power In The Indo-Pacific

The ASEAN Summit - United States. (Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo invited the United States to become a positive force in the Indo-Pacific, when opening the ASEAN-United States Summit with Vice President Kamala Harris, Wednesday.

Calling Southeast Asia a promising region, President Jokowi said that this area is predicted to become the lifeblood of international trade in 2045, contributing 5.4 percent to the world GDP.

"Therefore, a strong and sustainable partnership between ASEAN and the United States will certainly not only benefit ASEAN, but will also benefit the United States," said President Jokowi in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 6.

However, President Jokowi continued, the partnership will only be realized if there is a strong commitment from both parties in maintaining regional peace and stability.

He said ASEAN had agreed to continue to carry out its functions as a locomotive of peace and regional stability, where Indo-Pacific should become a platform for collaboration.

"Therefore, ASEAN invites the United States to become a positive force in creating a peaceful stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, through inclusive concrete cooperation," said President Jokowi.

Meanwhile, United States Vice President Kamala Harris on this occasion reiterated her support for ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region.

"ASEAN is the center of the United States' commitment to the Indo-Pacific," said Vice President Kamala Harris.

"The United States strategy in the Indo-Pacific is clear, we are committed to ASEAN centrality. We are committed to international law and norms," he said.