Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
IDXChannel - ASEAN has strengthened cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Pacific Island Forum (PIF) after signing an inter-Secretariat Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Jakarta on Monday (4/9/2023).
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in her welcoming speech stated that the cooperation is very significant in strengthening the tie between ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
“Countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are an integral part of the Indo-Pacific region. We share the same region. What happens in the region will likely affect us all,” said Foreign Minister Retno.
Therefore, she continued, ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans must work together in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Indo-Pacific must not become a stage for major power rivalries or potential hotspots for conflicts that occur in other regions.
