Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia wants the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to play a role in curbing potential conflicts in the region amidst tensions in several other regions, a Foreign Ministry official said.
"Given tensions in several other regions, Indonesia sees that there is a potential conflict in the Indian Ocean rim so that countries in the region need to maintain regional security stability," Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Desra Percaya said here on Tuesday night.
The council of IORA foreign ministers is set to hold a meeting in the Indonesian resort island of Bali from October 22 to 27.
IORA comprises 21 member states - Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Although maintaining regional security stability is important, the conflict in Yemen will not be discussed at the Bali meeting, he said.
"(The conflict in) Yemen will not be discussed as it has been discussed separately at the UN," he said.
The meeting will focus on how to deal with a wide range of challenges facing countries in the Indian Ocean rim, including maritime security and safety, drug smuggling, human smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy, economic growth, and climate change.
"These issues are high on the list of our priorities as IORA chairman for the 2015-2017 period," he said. (WDY)
