Indonesia to discuss maritime cooperation during ASEAN-China meeting

Indonesia has reiterated the importance of maritime cooperation throughout the region at the ASEAN-China special ministerial meeting, being held on June 13-14 in China.

"Indonesia continues to stress the importance of maritime cooperation in accordance with the East Asia Summit framework, especially in the development of the fishing industry, small and medium enterprises and research cooperation," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry received on Monday.

The meeting, hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the city of Kunming, has gathered 11 foreign ministers who are allowed to raise any issue of concern about the region and the relevant participating countries.

In the area of maritime cooperation, Indonesia will also call for increased cooperation between ASEAN and China in the eradication of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

In the two-day meeting, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi will emphasize the strengthening of the region's security architecture and urge ASEAN and China to continue cooperation in the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region and respect for international laws.

The special meeting comes ahead of a summit commemorating 25 years of ASEAN-China relations to be held in September. Among other issues, the disputed South China Sea, in which several Southeast Asian countries, as well as China, are involved, is also expected to be discussed.

(THE JAKARTA POST)