At EEF Forum, Prabowo Asserts ASEAN Nations Prefer Consultation over Confrontation
At the EEF Forum, Prabowo Asserts ASEAN Nations Prefer Consultation over Confrontation
President Prabowo Subianto has invited Russia and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to expand cooperation with Southeast Asia through the approach that has served as the foundation of ASEAN for almost six decades: consultation and cooperation.
This invitation was delivered by Prabowo during his keynote address at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
Addressing the international economic forum, Prabowo revealed that ASEAN’s journey has not always been peaceful. Southeast Asia, he noted, has faced conflicts, tensions, and profound differences between nations.
“Southeast Asia has not always been peaceful. Our region has experienced conflict, tension, and deep differences,” said Prabowo.
However, ASEAN leaders subsequently realised that the challenges of development were far greater than the issues any single nation could face alone.
Prabowo cited poverty, limited healthcare and education services, inadequate infrastructure, and the need to create jobs and economic opportunities as shared problems requiring collective cooperation.
“However, our leaders then realised that poverty, limited healthcare and education, inadequate infrastructure, and the need to create opportunities are greater challenges than any of us could face on our own,” he stated.
This realisation led to ASEAN’s political and diplomatic choice to prioritise dialogue. Prabowo assessed that this choice has delivered tangible impacts on the lives of people within the region.
“Therefore, ASEAN chooses consultation over confrontation. Cooperation over division. For almost six decades, this choice has created a peace dividend,” Prabowo remarked.
According to Prabowo, regional stability provides the necessary space for economic and social activities to flourish. Peace does not only produce political stability but also creates the conditions that allow communities and the business world to conduct their activities.
“Farmers can produce. Factories can operate. Ships can sail. Businesses can invest. Children can attend school. Families can plan for the future,” said Prabowo.
Drawing from this experience, Prabowo offered the ASEAN approach to Russia and all EAEU members. Indonesia seeks to strengthen economic cooperation between Eurasia and Southeast Asia so that the benefits of stability and economic connectivity can be felt more widely.