APEC Discusses Infrastructure and Connectivity
10 November 2014 17:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said President Joko Widodo would highlight infrastructure and connectivity (maritime axis) development at APEC Summit in Beijing, China, November 10-11 and G20 forum in Brisbane, Australia, November 15-16. He added the president would also underscore similar issues at ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw on November 12-13.
Retno said that through bilateral meetings, efforts to boost bilateral, regional and international relations would be discussed, especially in cementing cooperation in Working Cabinet’s priorities, including infrastructure development, economic improvement, trade and investment.
“President Joko Widodo’s attendance in several summits this week will strengthen Indonesia’s role as middle power and world player,” said Retno last week.
Three themes are slated to be discussed at APEC Summit, including regional economic integration (Asia-Pacific free market), connectivity and infrastructure development, and economic growth and reform encouragement. In G20 forum, Indonesia will encourage G20 to pay special attention to infrastructure development as well as its funding.
In Naypyidaw, besides attending ASEAN Summit, Jokowi will join eight other summits: ASEAN-India Summit, ASEAN-Japan Summit, ASEAN-UN Summit, ASEAN-Australia Summit, East Asia Summit, ASEAN-US Summit, ASEAN-China Summit and ASEAn Plus Three Summit. One of Indonesia’s priorities in those summits are ensuring the realization of ASEAN Economic Community 2015.
Economic expert Mahendra Siregar said President Jokowi needed to attend G20 forum, allowing for the importace of the event as an international economic cooperation forum that yielded several strategic decisions for its members.
“Indonesia needs to ensure that the interests of all countries are accommodated in the global economy,” he said.
NATALIA SANTI | AMOS SIMANUNGKALIT | MAYA NAWANGWULAN | ANANDA TERESIA