Antara News, Saturday, July 31, 2010 20:53 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia held the First ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) in Surabaya, East Java, on 28-29 July 2010.
The forum was a follow up to a stipulation in the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, according to the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat, in a statement here, Saturday.
The Forum was officially opened by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Triyono Wibowo.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Bagas Hapsoro, acknowledged the multi-dimensional nature of maritime aspects, such as the protection of the environment, security, navigation, and other security-related challenges.
DSG Bagas also underscored the necessity to further enhance efforts to address maritime issues urgently in a comprehensive manner.
Although maritime issues are not something new for the Member States, they remain crucial in ASEAN community building efforts, he said.
The inaugural meeting of the AMF discussed cross cutting matters related to maritime, including topics such as connectivity, maritime security problems and search and rescue to assist persons and vessels in distress at sea.
The establishment of AMF is timely, in that it coincides with the implementation of the APSC Blueprint to enhance regional linkages that will eventually contribute to the fostering of the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
The Forum is hoped to produce inter-sectoral recommendations for reference of ASEAN sectoral bodies in addressing maritime related issues within its functions and responsibilities.
