"All parties must prevent any actions that could increase tension and should instead accord priority to cooperation rather than rivalries, respect international laws and freedom of navigation," President Joko Widodo said.
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has asked the ASEAN-US Partnership to contribute to work for preserving peace and stability in the ASEAN region, especially in the South China Sea.

"All parties must prevent any actions that could increase tension and should instead accord priority to cooperation rather than rivalries, respect international laws and freedom of navigation," Indonesian president Joko Widodo said at the 3rd ASEAN-US summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center here on Saturday.

He said the strategic ASEAN-US partnership, that has evolved for almost 40 years now, has showed how strong the relations between the two sides had been.

In this regard, President Joko Widodo also emphasized the need for increasing cooperation on ways to handle climate change.

"The ASEAN-US partnership must work to achieve their respective commitments to deal with the climate change issue," he said.

President Joko Widodo also viewed that the COP 21 in Paris must be successful besides prioritization of the commitments of each country.

On the occasion, President Joko Widodo reiterated the countrys commitment to reducing emissions by 29 percent, which is below "the business as usual" level by 2030.

"Reduction could reach 41 percent through international cooperation," he said.

In connection with the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, President Joko Widodo said he hoped the ASEAN-US partnership could also be directed to eradicating IUU fishing.

The Indonesian President said two-thirds of his country comprises the sea and due to IUU fishing activities for years, Indonesia has lost three million tons of fish worth Rp300 trillion every year.

He said the IUU fishing activities were also found linked to narcotic drug trafficking, human smuggling, slavery and other trans-national crimes.

President Joko Widodo welcomed the US leadership in the holding of the meeting on Syria in Vienna, Austria, in October.

He said to reach the best solution to the Syrian problem, a unified approach is needed.

President Joko Widodo emphasized the need of instilling pluralism, tolerance and moderation and increasing cooperation to fight terrorism and extremism.

He expressed appreciation for the US support with regard to the Indonesian initiative on the draft East Asian Summit Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation. "Jointly, we would strive to have the draft approved by all EAS member countries," he said.

The 3rd ASEAN-US summit was attended by US President Barrack Obama, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and heads of states and governments of ASEAN member countries.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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