TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of ASEAN strengthening its partnership with New Zealand as the key link between ASEAN and the Pacific. Minister Retno conveyed this statement during the ASEAN-New Zealand Post Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday, July 26, 2024.

"New Zealand is important for ASEAN, especially to keep supporting ASEAN in establishing relations with the Pacific region," said Retno, as quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Retno Marsudi said ASEAN and New Zealand must keep contributing to the peace and stability of the region by forming cooperation between two nuclear-free zone regions.

As is known, ASEAN has adopted the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), while New Zealand is a party to the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty.

Retno Marsudi also pushed for ASEAN and the Pacific region to form a concrete partnership. During Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, the organization agreed to cooperate with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. As a follow-up action, Indonesia suggested forming action plans in several sectors, such as the blue economy.

Indonesia also welcomed the implementation of the Upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (Upgraded AANZFTA). Moreover, the trade value between the three parties amounted to US$16 billion. The renewal is expected to improve competitiveness, especially for SMEs, and support sustainable development in the region.

ANTARA | KEMLU.GO.ID

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