Indonesian Foreign Minister Leads Trilateral Meeting in New York

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi chaired the Indonesia-Australia-Timor Leste Trilateral Meeting in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to discuss joint efforts to accelerate economic recovery, among other things.

Held on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly, the meeting was attended by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Timor Leste Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno besides Marsudi.

The three foreign ministers discussed several areas of cooperation, including connectivity, food security, and energy, which are considered important to be encouraged.

They also agreed on the importance of all countries respecting the principles of the UN Charter consistently.

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"The principle of respect for territorial sovereignty and integrity is one of the very important principles to be respected," Marsudi said in a statement issued on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

In addition, they also agreed on the importance of promoting the issue of women's empowerment. Gender mainstreaming is important in all areas of cooperation among the three neighboring countries.

The issues of G20, ASEAN, and maritime cooperation were also highlighted at the meeting.

"As G20 President, Indonesia is making constant efforts to ensure that the G20 will be able to continue to work and produce concrete cooperation not only for its members but the world community as well," the minister said.

Indonesia has always paid attention to the interests of developing nations, she added.

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At the meeting, Australia and Timor Leste expressed support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN efforts to help Myanmar through the five-point consensus.

Marsudi said that during its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, Indonesia wants the regional grouping to strengthen its centrality so that it will continue to be the driver of stability and welfare in the region.

In addition, Indonesia will hold the Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum, which is expected to encourage concrete cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries on the development of infrastructure.

The trilateral meeting is the third of its kind and was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The last such meeting was held virtually in 2020.

Source: State News Antara