Jokowi Affirms Indonesia's Commitment To Creating Peace In The Pacific Region

President Jokowi held a meeting with Papua New Guinea and Fiji on the sidelines of the APEC Summit, in San Francisco, United States, Thursday (16/11/2023) local time. (ANTARA)

JOKOWI - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized Indonesia's commitment to continue to maintain peace and make the Pacific Region peaceful, stable and prosperous.

This was conveyed by Joko Widodo during a trilateral meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on the sidelines of the APEC Summit, in San Francisco, United States, Thursday, November 16 local time.

"I reiterate, Indonesia is strongly committed to making the Pacific Region a peaceful, stable and prosperous area," said President Jokowi as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, November 17.

President Jokowi said meetings between the three countries reflected close brotherhood between fellow passive countries.

He appreciated the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for respecting the sovereignty and integrity of Indonesian territory in a number of meetings.

"I also follow closely, the implementation of the MSG Summit and the PIF Summit, and I appreciate the positions of MSG and PIF which respect Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

The Head of State then said that Indonesia would continue to be committed to strengthening relations between Indonesia and MSG and PIF through a number of real cooperation.

"This commitment has been shown by Indonesia on various occasions, including inviting PIFs at the G20 Summit and the ASEAN Summit. Indonesia has succeeded in encouraging cooperation between the ASEAN Secretariat and PIF," he continued.

In addition, President Jokowi expressed Indonesia's hope to become a partner in the development of MSG and PIF.

President Jokowi is also happy to see a number of progresses for the construction of public facilities that have been implemented in Fiji and also Papua New Guinea.

Also accompanying the President in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan.