Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi (Photo: Internet) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Minister of ForeignAffairs Retno Marsudi on August 2 called on countries to strengthen marinecooperation and abide by international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to maintainpeace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at 11th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) inBali, Retno emphasised that the maritime sphere of the Indo-Pacific has tremendous potential as it hosts theworld's most strategic sea lanes and major shipping routes. It is also animportant source of livelihood for millions in the region.
She warned that the interests of great powersalso collide in the maritime sphere. Failure to manage it may threaten peaceand stability in the region. She also called on countries to avoid the region turning into an 'epicentrum of conflict'.
Over the past five decades, ASEAN worked hard to deny thispossibility, including through strict adherence to international law and aninclusive regional architecture, she said, adding that now, there is an urgent need to ensurethe predictability and stability in the maritime domain.
She emphasised that all countries in the region must be ableto feel safe and secure, free from the threats of military might.
Retno said ASEAN maritime sphere must contributetowards making the region an 'epicentrum of growth'. On that note, countries togethermust explore ways and means to govern their conducts in the Indo-Pacificmaritime sphere.
According to the minister, the Indo-Pacificmaritime sphere must also be a sea of cooperation which means usingcollaboration as a catalyst to build trust and lasting peace and address theimpact of climate change to the seas, marine pollution and debris, andtransnational organised crimes, while working together to develop blueeconomy, promote maritime safety, and support the livelihood of coastalcommunities./.
