Indonesian Foreign Minister: Riyadh Summit Establishes New Phase of Cooperation Between GCC, ASEAN Countries

Riyadh, October 20, 2023, SPA -- Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said that the “GCC-ASEAN Summit” establishes a new phase for closer relations between two important regions in Asia, bringing together the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and building a strong bridge linking the two sides, which contributes to strengthening cooperation in a way that serves common interests.
During a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah following the conclusion of the GCC-ASEAN Summit held in Riyadh today, the Indonesian Minister said, “The ASEAN and the GCC countries are two economically influential centers with a promising future. Their gross domestic product represents over $5 trillion, and their population exceeds 700 million, most of whom are young, productive energies.”
She said economic growth last year exceeded the global average by 7.5% for the GCC countries and 5.3% for the ASEAN countries. She considers this an advanced model for the countries of the two regions and an impetus for continued cooperation, prosperity, and growth, noting that the joint statement of the Riyadh Summit framed collaborative work and cooperation for 2024-2028 concerning trade, economy, agriculture, food security, energy, tourism, communication, interconnection, culture, information, and education.
She highlighted the commitment of the GCC countries through the Joint Cooperation Agreement to ensure peace and stability in the Pacific region and support the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East, stressing that the position of the countries of the two groups is compatible regarding developments in Palestine and the need to focus on humanitarian efforts. “We do not forget the root causes, which are Israel’s illegal occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories,” she said, affirming the Riyadh Summit’s support for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian cause.
She pointed out the statement issued by the summit at the level of foreign ministries, denouncing the escalating violence in the Middle East, calling for a peaceful solution, and opening humanitarian corridors.
Concerning communication between the peoples of the Gulf and ASEAN region, she said: “We pay attention to migrant workers, and the joint statement on the Riyadh Summit confirms the interest of the countries of Southeast Asia concerning building human resources, growth, and economic development in the GCC countries. We also agreed to enhance cooperation in supporting the sustainable labor movement and combat human trafficking and its practices.”
The Indonesian foreign minister renewed her confidence in the outcomes of cooperation between the GCC countries and the ASEAN countries, which will reflect positively on the prosperity and future of the two regions.
—SPA