ASIATODAY.ID, LAOS – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the United States (US) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antony Blinken, in Vientiane, Laos, 27 July 2024.
Indonesia is the ASEAN-US Partnership Coordinator for the 2021-2024 period.
Starting her opening speech, Retno explained the main achievements of ASEAN – United States cooperation in the last three years, including: (1) Increasing the status of the partnership to become a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, (2) Successfully holding the ASEAN – US Summit in May 2022 and producing a Joint Vision statement, (3) Commitment to advance cooperation in the electric vehicle ecosystem in the region, which is a new initiative for the region, (4) US support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as stated in the ASEAN agreement – US Leaders’ Statement on Cooperation on the AOIP , to advance important issues including maritime, SDGs and economic connectivity, (5) Establishment of the ASEAN-US Center in Washington DC to encourage cooperation for public-private partnerships. This is a new sectoral collaboration.
Next, Retno raised the importance of respecting international law.
“The partnership between ASEAN and the United States must contribute to the creation of world peace and stability. “International law must be enforced everywhere, in Ukraine, in the South China Sea and of course in Palestine,” stressed Retno.
“We cannot close our eyes to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As we speak here, more than 40 thousand people were killed. “A ceasefire must be called immediately to stop this atrocity,” he continued.
Minister Retno invited the United States and ASEAN to work together to fight for justice and humanity.
Meanwhile, in her national statement, Retno conveyed two things:
First, the United States as a partner for peace. “As partners, it is important for us to respect international law. Creating a culture of dialogue is also important,” he said.
Therefore, Indonesia welcomes the US commitment to continue dialogue with China. Apart from that, ASEAN centrality must also be reflected in various collaborations between ASEAN and the US.
Second, the United States as a partner for growth. Retno conveyed the importance of ASEAN countries increasing their industrial capacity, including for the critical mineral sector.
Regarding this, Indonesia hopes that the US as a member country of the Minerals Security Partnership will contribute to helping countries in the region to meet ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards for minerals.
Retno said that the ASEAN and US partnership must be the main and determining factor in creating an Indo-Pacific region that is stable and profitable for all.
The ASEAN – US meeting discussed important regional and global issues, including regional peace and stability, the Palestinian issue, climate change, capacity building, trade, digital economy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cyber security, clean energy, electric vehicles, connectivity , and maritime security.
This ASEAN-US meeting is the last meeting under Indonesian coordination. For the 2024-2027 period, Indonesia will be the ASEAN-Australia Partnership Coordinator. (AT Network)
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