Indonesia prioritizes three things in chairing the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) this year and it is optimistic to reach the goals, a minister said here on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters that the three priorities are related to certainty of significant progress towards ASEAN Community 2015, ASEAN and its environment and its chairmanship of ASEAN Community in the global community.
"We will make sure that in 2011 there will be significant progress in efforts to reach the ASEAN Community 2015. I must emphasize it, the significance, as not all matters must be completed in 2011. We just have to make sure that we have significant, measured, ordered and concrete progress towards 2015," he said.
Secondly, Natalegawa said, Indonesia prioritizes ASEAN and its environment.
"Last year we had argued about the dynamics of regional architecture building. And we assured that our vision is accepted. Besides, Russia and the United States were accepted to participate in the East Asia Summit. This year, as we chair the EAS, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the first time will chair this forum. We have an opportunity to give a color in the EAS as well as we make sure (the existence) of what we call 'the dynamic equilibrium' in the region, a peaceful and stable region where we could make development," said Natalegawa.
Thirdly, he said, Indonesia will prioritize its chairmanship in the ASEAN community in the global community of nation.
"Once again, Indonesia plans to increase its leadership, to increase cooperation between ASEAN countries and in global level," he said.
According to Natalegawa, this year Indonesia wants to identify a roadmap toward more established ASEAN to contribute to global issues. "God willing, these could be reached with support of member countries," he said.