President Jokowi Calls ASEAN And Japan Responsible For Maintaining Stable, Peaceful And Prosperous Areas

JAKARTA - President Jokowi Widodo said ASEAN and Japan were responsible for maintaining stability and peace in the region, when they opened the ASEAN-Japan Summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jakarta, Wednesday.

President Jokowi said that geographically Japan and ASEAN are part of Asia.

"This is where our home is, this is where we grow and take shelter. Therefore, we have a big responsibility to protect our area as a peaceful, stable and prosperous area," said President Jokowi, Wednesday, September 6.

President Jokowi further said that ASEAN and Japan have agreed to form a strategic comprehensive partnership that is not just ceremonial and not just pleasant, but concrete mutually beneficial cooperation.

Japan, continued President Jokowi, as one of ASEAN's most active partners and main supporters of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), can be a major contributor in realizing concrete cooperation that is of direct benefit to the people.

President Jokowi added that ASEAN requires infrastructure investment worth 184 billion US dollars per year.

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