Affirm Indo-Pacific Don't Become A Battlefield In Front Of The US, Russia And China, Foreign Minister Retno: EAS Must Contribute

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the 2023 Jakarta EAS Foreign Ministers Meeting. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The public has high hopes for the East Asia Summit (EAS) as the only forum involving all key players in the Indo-Pacific region, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at a meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of EAS in Jakarta, Friday.

It said, currently Indo-Pacific is in a decisive moment. This area will be the biggest contributor to global economic growth in the next 30 years. Important developments in technology, medicine and renewable energy occur every day.

"However, we have not been able to create a conducive environment to optimize potential in the region. Suspicion and uncertainty still occur. Some even say that Indo-Pacific is experiencing a cold war in hot places," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, July 14.

"Indo-Pacific should not become a battlefield. This area must remain stable," said Foreign Minister Retno.

The EAS, which consists of 18 countries, namely ASEAN members and partners such as the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand, is said to be an inclusive forum to discuss dynamics in the region and the world.

Apart from being a net contributor to economic growth, Indo-Pacific must also be a net contributor to peace and spread the paradigm of collaboration to other regions. EAS must contribute to realizing collective ideals, namely a peaceful, stable and inclusive region.

"Imagine EAS as a train, and our commitment to the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (TAC) and Bali Principles as railroads. We must ensure that our roads cross, not hinder each other," said Foreign Minister Retno.

He further said that all parties must work together to bridge, instill trust and build an inclusive regional architecture. The existing differences should not be separators, but instead enrich collective efforts and become strengths.

"Cited from the philosophy of 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' which contains the meaning of differences, harmony can be created to realize a common agenda, this spirit needs to be possessed by all EAS participants in discussing and listening to each other without prejudice," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"We are together on the EAS train and everyone is welcome to take the train," he said.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno also invited EAS member countries to make the East Asia Summit a success next September, asking that all parties can work together to build bridges to bring together existing differences.