Indonesia Hopes Asia Pasific Wont't Become Center of Dispute

Nay Pyi Taw (Antara) - Indonesia hopes the Indian and Pacific Oceans would remain peaceful and secure in the area of world trade and would not turn into sites of disputes over natural resources, territory, and maritime supremacy. Indonesian President Joko Widodo conveyed this at a gathering of world leaders at the East Asia Summit here on Thursday. "As a world maritime axis, Indonesia certainly has an interest in determining the future of the Pacific and Indian Oceans," he stated. President Widodo said the maritime potential of the region had not yet been maximally exploited and in view of that, Indonesia was proposing to strengthen maritime cooperation areas. "We urge the ASEAN partner countries in the East Asia Summit to support and be actively involved in realizing the 'ASEAN Masterplan on Connectivity,' especially maritime connectivity and infrastructure," he noted. The President called for a concrete EAS cooperation in the fields of energy, food resilience, manufacturing, and the preservation of maritime resources sustainability as well as closer cooperation in sea security. "With regard to the South China Sea in particular, Indonesia welcomes any commitment to implementing the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea). I also call for a quick settlement of the COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea) through consultation," he emphasized.(*)