"We think that Japan and Indonesia share the same views that maritime issues need to be managed well," the foreign minister said.
Marty said that the maritime issues in that case did not relate to politics and security only but also to the environment, shipping and piracy threats.
"We have identified dialog opportunities to increase cooperation in the maritime sector among countries in the region. What is left to be done now is to decide the format or suitable forum," the foreign minister said.
Marty said that since one and half years ago, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Maritime Forum (AMF) had met two times in Surabaya and Thailand.
"On that basis, we discussed the possibility of enhancing the forum so that countries outside ASEAN could also join," Marty said.
"We do not reject that view because it is a good idea as the maritime affairs covers vast issues. All we need now is to focus on its forum," he added.
He said his side had suggested that in the next Maritime Forum of ASEAN, a second stage meeting should also be held so that non-ASEAN countries could take part.
"We suggested that parties to be involved should not only be government representatives but also other non-government elements," he said.
"In principle we want that maritime issues would be discussed comprehensively, so that it would create common care that would lead to partnership in the handling of maritime issues," the foreign minister added.
The ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) was set up based on the result of Bali Concord II. The 10th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane in November 2004 adopted the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action (ASC PoA) on the promotion of ASEAN maritime security cooperation.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
