KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister (PM) of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, on Monday, September 4, 2023 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. 

PM Mark Brown expressed his congratulations and appreciation to Indonesia for encouraging closer ties between ASEAN and the Pacific.

"The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands congratulated Indonesia and appreciated Indonesia for being a key driver in bringing ASEAN closer to the Pacific," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a written statement, Monday (4/9). 

Retno said, both leaders also welcomed the signing of cooperation between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat. It is known that PM Mark Brown attended the 43rd ASEAN Summit in his capacity as Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

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"This afternoon, a cooperation was signed between the ASEAN Secretariat and the PIF Secretariat. This is an implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific initiated by Indonesia in 2019 and then translated during Indonesia's chairmanship by embracing IORA and PIF and Indonesia conducting the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum," Retno explained.

In addition, at the meeting, PM Mark Brown also expressed his respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. 

According to Retno, PM Mark Brown stated that cooperation with partner countries is his top priority.

"The PM of the Cook Islands stated, for PIF the main priority is to discuss development priorities with its partner countries," she concluded.

Accompanying the President at the meeting were the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md., Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Editor: Syamsul Azhar