Indonesia and Singapore Affirm ASEAN's Commitment to Resolving Disputes Through Dialogue

President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have affirmed ASEAN’s view that all disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy, not only in the region but across the world.

In a joint statement at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, President Prabowo said the annual Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat covered a range of issues, from bilateral cooperation to regional and global matters.

‘We affirm that ASEAN believes every dispute must be resolved peacefully. Through dialogue and diplomacy. Not only in our region, but in all regions,’ President Prabowo said.

He stressed that the common interests of both countries must be maintained, including through mutually beneficial cooperation, and that any misunderstandings should be resolved as friends.

‘We have had an intensive and very productive heart-to-heart meeting, open and forward-looking. We agreed that if there are any misunderstandings or misperceptions, we will resolve them as friends, openly,’ Prabowo said.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of the Strait of Malacca, with President Prabowo and Prime Minister Lawrence affirming their commitment to keeping the waterway open and accessible to all parties.

A total of 26 agreements and memoranda of understanding across various sectors were also announced as concrete achievements of the collaboration between the two countries. These comprised 18 government-to-government agreements between Indonesia and Singapore and eight business-to-business agreements.