Indonesia to finalize Indo-Pacific concept

id menlu

Indonesia to finalize Indo-Pacific concept

Menlu Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi (ANTARA FOTO/Muhammad Adimaja)

Yogyakarta (Antaranews Jogja) - The Government of Indonesia continues to finalize and consult with ASEAN members and partner countries about the concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi.

"We are still communicating with ASEAN nations and our partner countries regarding the Indo-Pacific concept," Marsudi remarked while delivering a public lecture during the series of events of the Diplomacy Festival at the Gadjah Mada University Senate Hall in Yogyakarta on Friday afternoon.

The minister remarked that the concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation is a new initiative developed by Indonesia that is expected to be Indonesia`s contribution to global welfare and peace by connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Ocean.

So far, the Pacific Ocean has had good infrastructure and cooperation, while the Indian Ocean region began its cooperation with the Association of the Indian Ocean Circle Countries (IORA).

"Again, this initiative was developed by still placing the ASEAN in its central axis. ASEAN centrality is still very important," she emphasized.

According to Marsudi, the Indo-Pacific concept was raised, as partner countries also had the concept of cooperation. The United States, Australia, and Japan also have a concept.

"We will attempt to see where the concept is similar. We are working on cooperation on the concept," the foreign affairs minister added.