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Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that ASEAN is not a proxy for any country. Photo/ANTARA FOTO/Media Center 2023 ASEAN Summit/Rommy Pujianto
JAKARTA – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized the need for unity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also emphasized that ASEAN is not a proxy for any country.
Speaking at the ASEAN summit or summit in Newsdelivers.com on Tuesday (5/9/2023), the Indonesian leader said that ASEAN must maintain good relations for the sake of regional stability.
Jokowi called on member countries to work together to achieve fair and mutually beneficial results, and urged them to stay away from disputes between neighboring countries.
“ASEAN has agreed not to be a proxy for any country. “Don’t make our ships into battlegrounds for destructive competition,” he said, comparing ASEAN to ships at sea.
“We as leaders must ensure that this ship continues to move and sail and we must be its captains to achieve peace, stability and mutual prosperity,” he said.
The Indonesian president called for a long-term tactical strategy, and said that ASEAN members must design cooperation plans that are relevant and meet people’s expectations.
Jokowi’s comments came after Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto visited Washington recently and held talks with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin.
During Prabowo’s visit, the Pentagon issued a “joint press statement” claiming that Prabowo criticized Russia and China.
However, Prabowo later distanced himself from the “joint press statement” and insisted that Indonesia seek good relations with Russia and China.
