RI PROPOSES ROUTINE ASEAN FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING

Hua Hin, Oct 25 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has proposed a routine ASEAN finance ministers meeting to discuss the regional grouping's position ahead of G20 summits.

"Indonesia has proposed that ASEAN finance ministers meet regularly ahead of any G20 summit. At the meeting we will coordinate our stand. As a matter of fact, we have agreed to form a contact group," newly installed Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Summit here on Saturday.

Indonesia's proposal was included in the 57-point statement of 10 ASEAN heads of state/government issued earlier in the day.

The ASEAN finance ministers are expected to coordinate in formulating ASEAN member countries' collective views to create economic and financial stability either at regional or global level.

Many saw the plan to establish an ASEAN-G20 contact group as of great significance to coordinate ASEAN's position ahead of G20 summits. The contact group will comprise the ASEAN chair, the ASEAN secretary general and Indonesia, the only G20 member from ASEAN.

G20 groups Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain, the United States and the European Union.

Commenting on Indonesia's membership of the G20, Marty said it did not mean that Indonesia had abandoned ASEAN.

"It looks like if we are G20 members we are no ASEAN members or if we are ASEAN members we are no G20 members. Our influence in the G20 does not mean that we abandon ASEAN. It is difficult to imagine how Indonesia can influence the G20 if it has no influential role in ASEAN," he said.

Indonesia would always give a priority to ASEAN interests in the G20, he said.

He said other ASEAN member states had in fact lauded Indonesia which always paid attention to ASEAN interests in the G20.