Jokowi's Maritime Axis Vision Draws Attention Of World Leaders

Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Nov 7 (Antara) - The policy of transforming Indonesia into a maritime axis has attracted the attention of the leaders of some friendly countries, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Conversing with the participants of Gajah Mada University Big Family`s (Kagama`s) national congress here on Thursday, President Jokowi stated that the leaders of friendly countries such as Russia, the United States, Japan, China, and Australia had shown interest in his maritime axis vision and the maritime toll road program. "I feel that they are curious about the policy because they realize that two-thirds of the Indonesian territory is made up of water, but it has been overlooked for a long time," the president remarked. Jokowi noted that as a new player in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, he had received many requests for meetings about the concept from numerous Asia-Pacific economic leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama, among others. "The meeting will eventually relate to the concept of maritime axis and the maritime toll road program," the president noted, admitting that many foreign parties, including China, had expressed interest to establish cooperation. "They have the 21st century maritime silk route, while we have our maritime axis, and they want to cooperate with us," Jokowi added.