Indonesia Boosts IORA Imprvement: Singaporean Minister

JAKARTA, Mar 7 (Antara) - Singaporean Minister Mohamad Maliki Bin Osmanin at a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed gratitude to the Indonesian chairmanship that has pushed the improvement of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). "Indonesia's leadership has brought IORA to a higher level," Minister Osman said here, Monday. According to him, Jakarta Concord, a document that will be signed by the heads of state/government on March 7, is a guidance for IORA member countries in facing the current and future challenges. "Speaking about Jakarta Concord, I congratulate Minister Retno for her leadership in carrying IORA members to look forward together," he said. The Jakarta Concord is a strategic document that contains the IORA's vision and norms to strengthen regional architecture in facing challenges in the region. Osman also appreciated the achievement of Indonesia to encourage the member states to agree on the IORA Declaration on Prevention and Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism in the Indian Ocean Region. "We appreciate the success of IORA meeting, especially the declaration to fight terrorism and extremism. It is in the interest of Singapore because terrorism is everywhere," he said. The IORA meeting series is held in Jakarta on March 5-7 and produces four documents to encourage the Indian Ocean to become a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. The four documents are Jakarta Concord, the IORA Action Plan, the IORA Declaration on Prevention and Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism, as well as Joint Declaration of IORA Business Community in Building Partnerships for Sustainable and Fair Economic Growth. The four documents have been discussed at a high-level official meeting on March 5 which approved by 21 IORA members and seven dialogue partners. The documents will be ratified by the heads of state/government on March 7, 2017.