REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- US Secretary of State John Kerry said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"ASEAN's role is very central in maintaining peace and stability in Asia," John Kerry stated at a meeting of the US-ASEAN Foreign Ministers in New York, as per a written statement issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received here on Monday.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, was also attended by the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi.

According to Retno, in the past ten years, the ASEAN-US relations have continued to strengthen. ASEAN and the US have had a strategic partnership since 2015.

"Economic cooperation is growing rapidly and the two parties have undertaken many initiatives, including the ASEAN-US Connect meeting which will be held in Jakarta," Retno added.

On the occasion, the Foreign Minister also pointed out that the maritime cooperation between ASEAN member countries and the US needs to be accorded priority.

Kerry responded by acknowledging that the US government highly appreciates Indonesia's plan to host Our Ocean Conference in 2018.

Furthermore, Minister Retno hoped that the United States will remain an open and tolerant country that will keep contributing to the peace and prosperity of all people in the world.

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