Yudhoyono envisions Asia that makes a difference

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 12/08/2009 2:28 PM

ASIAN PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (center) was posing together with the Chairman of the House of Representative as the President of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) 2009, Marzuki Alie, First APA President Haddad Adel and leaders of the participating delegations when opening the fourth APA meeting at Merdeka building, on Jln. Asia Africa, Bandung, West Java, Tuesday (Dec 8). Joined by 174 participants from 26 countries and three observers from parliamentary organizations, this conference will take place till December 10. (ANTARA/Widodo/Eliswan/C)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Asian countries to promote soft power by promoting cooperation and tolerance for the sake of peace and prosperity in the continent.

Yudhoyono said he envisioned Asia as the center of the world’s economic growth, and the momentum and opportunities were already in place to make the dream come true.

“If we can turn the 21st century into an era of soft power, we will create an Asia that makes a difference,” Yudhoyono said when opening the fourth Asian Parliamentary Assembly conference in Bandung on Tuesday.

Yudhoyono said Asia as the future economic power in the world had been evident in the way the continent played its part in solving the ongoing global economic crisis.

“We have become part of the solution to various problems which are interconnected locally, nationally, regionally and globally,” he said.

In the wake of interdependency, national interests among countries are not only connected with each other, but also necessitate cooperation and partnership, Yudhoyono added.

The conference is attended by 174 representatives of national parliaments in 26 countries, plus delegations from four observing countries and three Asian parliamentary organizations.