President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono alongwith the PM of Thailand, the PM of Vietnam, the PM of Laos, became the main panelists in the opening session of the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEFEA) in Bangkok (31/05). In his presentation, President Yudhoyono highlighted the future of Southeast Asia.
"The aspired future of Southeast Asia is as a region of peace and stability and strong economic growth. These conditions will foster harmony and friendship among civilizations," explained President Yudhoyono.
President Yudhoyono also stressed that the connectivity to be established would have to have a real influence on the strengthening of these three targets.
"The connectivity encompasses two major architectures in the region, ASEAN and East Asia Summit," he stated.
Regarding President Yudhoyono’s speech, the Presidential Special Staff of International Relations, Dr. Teuku Faizasyah, explained how the opening speech of the President in front of the participants of the WEFEA forum, has provided the right context with regard to the targets to be achieved through the development of connectivity in the ASEAN region and in the wider region, the East Asia Summit.
"The third goal is, a region of peace and stabIity; a region that records strong economic growth, and the creation of harmony and friendship among civilizations," said Faizasyah through the Foreign Ministry Portal.
Faizasya added, President Yudhoyono made use of the opportunity to speak at the forum to invite participation of foreign investors, particularly the CEO WEFEA participants, through MP3EI that is an attempt to accelerate development and connectivity in Indonesia.
In a panel discussion led by Professor WEFEA Klaus Schwab, Indonesia was placed in a special position in this forum, because it is the only ASEAN member to be a member of the G-20.
The panel discussion was attended by the CEOs of the world's top government officials in Asia Pacific, and the mass media.
WEFEA this time took up the theme of "Shaping the Region's Future through Connectivity". (Source: SKHI/PY/Yo2k)