Vientiane, Laos (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) engaged in an informal dialog with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte after the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat at the National Convention Center (NCC) in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.

The two presidents were seen having talks in front of the meeting room of the ASEAN leaders after the retreat before they headed to the 25th ASEAN-China Anniversary Summit.

Philippine presidential spokesperson Enrnesto Abella stated after the retreat that Duterte and Jokowi held a conversation and touched on the Philippine presidents plan to visit Indonesia on September 8-9, 2016.

The Philippine presidential spokesman had earlier remarked on Tuesday that President Duterte will directly head to Jakarta after the closing of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane on September 8.

"President Duterte will fly to Jakarta for a working visit on September 8 and spend the night there. On the following day, Duterte will meet President Jokowi and will thereafter fly back home to the Philippines," she revealed.

On the occasion, Abella noted that one of the priorities to be discussed between the two leaders in Jakarta is maintaining security in the waters of Indonesia and the Philippines.

Jokowi and Duterte attended the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat on the second day of the 28th ASEAN Summit and the 29th Related ASEAN Summit at the NCC in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Indonesian permanent representative to the ASEAN Rahmat Pramono.

Jokowi reaffirmed the importance for ASEAN to adhere to the principles of centrality and unity for maintaining peace and security in the region.

After the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat, Jokowi will attend the 25th Anniversary Summit of ASEAN-China, the 19th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 18th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, the 19th ASEAN-Plus Three Summit (Japan, South Korea, China), the 2nd ASEAN-Australia Summit, and the 8th ASEAN-United Nations Summit.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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