Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, has said that the 44th general assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) will play a strategic role in easing geopolitical tensions in the ASEAN region. "The parliament also contributes to helping the government in reducing geopolitical tension due to competition in Southeast Asia," she added in a statement issued on Thursday.
She said that this contribution is highlighted in the theme of the 44th AIPA General Assembly, namely "Responsive Parliaments for a Stable and Prosperous ASEAN," which emphasizes the important role of parliaments in overcoming various global challenges as well as creating a stable and prosperous ASEAN. "Of course, it includes regional stability. Especially in the midst of increasing geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, AIPA contributes to maintaining ASEAN unity," she added.
According to her, parliaments can help maintain peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region through parliamentary diplomacy. "Stability is a prerequisite for development and economic growth in ASEAN. The AIPA Session can become a place to share each country's parliament's view in determining future directions for the continuity of the welfare of the ASEAN community," Maharani disclosed.
Therefore, she said that the solidity of Southeast Asian countries is also needed to deal with various geopolitical problems, including the issue of the South China Sea (LCS), which remains a polemic in ASEAN Maharani also expressed the hope that dialogue between the parliaments of AIPA member countries and observer countries at the general assembly would bridge differences and build predictability in relations between the major powers in the region.
"AIPA must be able to contribute to reducing tensions in the region, and even developing preventive diplomacy since the dynamics of geopolitical developments in the future will be more complex," she highlighted.
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The DPR will host the 44th general assembly in Jakarta from August 5 to 11, 2023. Apart from Indonesia, the general assembly will be attended by 9 parliamentary chairpersons of ASEAN countries, representatives of 17 observer and guest countries, as well as representatives from 9 international organizations, with a total of 568 delegates expected to attend as participants.