REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SINGAPORE -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed the comprehensive and complete concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation to the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) held at Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore on Thursday. At the Summit, the president described the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean as a single geostrategic theater.

"In the 2014 EAS, Indonesia delivered the vision of global maritime axis which underscored the significance of maritime cooperation both in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said in a press conference at Conrad Hotel in Singapore.

The minister quoted the president as saying that Indonesia has consistently encouraged cooperation related to the question of partnership as the manifestation of the country's maritime vision.

The head of state said Indonesia hosted the first Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit which produced Jakarta Declaration and Plan of Action in 2017. This year Indonesia also hosted the fifth Our Ocean Conference which produced multi stakeholders' commitment to the ocean, he said.

"The president also stated Indonesia hosted Indonesia-Africa Maritime Dialogue on October 29, 2018 which stressed cooperation insustainable fisheries and maritime security," the minister said,

Indonesia also developed maritime cooperation along with other ASEAN member states, Jokowi said. He said Indonesia and other ASEAN member states are currently developing a concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Jokowi said Indonesia is ready to hold an open discussion on the concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation at the East Asia Summit.

"Many countries talked about Indo-Pacific cooperation. This suggests that the concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation has drawn the attention of other state leaders," the minister said.

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