REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- During the state coordinator meeting of the Network of East Asian Think Tanks (NEAT) in Jakarta from September 7-8, 2015, Indonesia proposed the strengthening of maritime cooperation for regional welfare, according to a Foreign Affairs Ministry's press statement on Wednesday.

On the initiative of Indonesia, for the first time NEAT adopted a major theme in the implementation of its annual activities.

The theme of the 23rd annual conference of NEAT was "Enhancing Maritime Cooperation in the Context of the ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN + 3): Challenges and Opportunities".

Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Environment Deputy Minister for Maritime Sovereignty Arif Havas Oegroseno opined that the topic of maritime cooperation was not only important for the region, but also in line with the vision of Indonesia to become the world's maritime axis.

In his speech at the meeting, Oegroseno said strategic waters in Asia could create opportunity and challenge for the countries in the region.

"Maritime sector has a very large potential for joint development of the countries in the region that includes a wealth of natural resources and its role as the main line of world trade," he said.

Related to the strengthening of maritime cooperation in the region, he said there were several challenges that must be dealt with including including border disputes, catching marine products illegally, the issue of damage to the marine environment, smuggling drugs, smuggling and hijacking ships.

"The issue of boundaries is indeed important and sensitive, but the cooperation between countries to create good and welfare of the people in the region is very important," he said.

Therefore, he added that the field of maritime topics selected to provide a forum for scholars to formulate recommendations for strengthening maritime cooperation in the region, is also in line with the national interests of Indonesia.

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