JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi called on ASEAN and the European Union to continue to build inclusive cooperation in various fields while attending the ASEAN-EU European Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) meeting in Jakarta Thursday.
Foreign Minister Retno said ASEAN's collaboration with the Blue Continent alliance is currently being tested by the world situation faced with enormous challenges.
To navigate this dynamic, continued Foreign Minister Retno, ASEAN and EU must continue to improve inclusive cooperation, at least on two important aspects.
First, maintaining an inclusive regional architecture. Foreign Minister Retno emphasized that ASEAN has invested heavily in building an inclusive regional architecture. He hopes the European Union has a harmonious view of the paradigm of inclusive collaboration.
"We hope that the European Union can implement an inclusive collaboration paradigm. This is the only way to maintain peace, stability and prosperity," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday, July 13.
Next, this meeting also discussed increasing mutually beneficial cooperation. Foreign Minister Retno said, both ASEAN and the European Union have a lot of great potential.
The two organizations are both the third-largest trading partners, integrated with 450 million consumers in the European Union and 650 million consumers in ASEAN. Foreign Minister Retno stressed that this potential should not be limited by policies that hinder trade.
"These potentials should not be limited by policies that hinder trade, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR)," said Foreign Minister Retno.
For this reason, both parties must find joint solutions through the ASEAN-EU mechanism, such as the Joint Working Group on Palm Oil. In addition, ASEAN and the European Union must also strengthen strategic partnerships based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
"Indonesia hopes that ASEAN-EU strategic cooperation can be strengthened based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit," hoped Foreign Minister Retno.
It is known, a number of ASEAN countries expressed concern over the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation which is considered to hinder the entry of ASEAN state products into the EU market. This meeting also prompted the completion of the ASEAN'EU Free Trade Agreement.
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Meanwhile, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Vice-President of the Commission (HRVP) Josep Borrell recognized the role of ASEAN as a global key player in this century, especially in the midst of rivalry and the ongoing global crisis.
Borrell continued, the European Union also supports the importance of respect for international law, particularly regarding the issue of Ukraine and the South China Sea, affirming support for ASEAN's approach to resolving Myanmar issues.
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