Ambon (Antara Maluku) - Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the vision of Maritime Axis will reaffirm Indonesia`s sovereignty over its sea territory.
"Maritime axis is our common hope to bring back Indonesia`s past glory as the biggest maritime country in the world," the minister said in a statement read out by Maluku Governor Said Assagaff at an archipelago day commemoration of the province here on Saturday.
The commemoration of the archipelago day served as a reminder that two third of the country is made up of sea territory holding natural resources in abundance, she added.
On December 13 in 1957, the Indonesian government declared that interior seas separating the country`s islands are part of the Indonesian territory. The declaration united the entire islands into a unitary state called NKRI.
In 1982, Indonesia gained international recognition as the biggest archipelagic state in an International Law Convention.
The declaration confirmed the status of Indonesia as a unitary and archipelagic state, Susi said.
"This is in line with President Jokowi`s vision of world maritime axis to make Indonesia a world maritime power," she added.
Jokowi once said the nation has turned its back too long on seas, ocean, straits and gulfs.
"For a maritime country, the oceans, seas , straits and gulfs are the future of the civilization ," he said at the ceremony installing him as the country`s new president in October this year.
Five Pillars
Therefore, the agenda of country`s development needs to be sustained by five main pillars - revival of maritime culture, protection of sea natural resources, development of maritime infrastructure and connectivity, and effective maritime diplomacy to jointly develop maritime defense.
"We need a model of sustainable development and management of the sea resources for the welfare of the people," she said.
She said the country also needs technology to make use of the sea potentials as well as to preserve the natural wealth.
She said the country already has a number of scientific and technological research centers in the maritime sector under various agencies .
"However, we can`t stop at what we already have . Research and development must continue and be expanded considering the country`s vast sea territory," she said.
She said she hoped at least ten new marine and fishery academies could be opened to turn out skilled human resources in the marine and fishery sector in the next five years before the present government ended its term.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2014
"Maritime axis is our common hope to bring back Indonesia`s past glory as the biggest maritime country in the world," the minister said in a statement read out by Maluku Governor Said Assagaff at an archipelago day commemoration of the province here on Saturday.
The commemoration of the archipelago day served as a reminder that two third of the country is made up of sea territory holding natural resources in abundance, she added.
On December 13 in 1957, the Indonesian government declared that interior seas separating the country`s islands are part of the Indonesian territory. The declaration united the entire islands into a unitary state called NKRI.
In 1982, Indonesia gained international recognition as the biggest archipelagic state in an International Law Convention.
The declaration confirmed the status of Indonesia as a unitary and archipelagic state, Susi said.
"This is in line with President Jokowi`s vision of world maritime axis to make Indonesia a world maritime power," she added.
Jokowi once said the nation has turned its back too long on seas, ocean, straits and gulfs.
"For a maritime country, the oceans, seas , straits and gulfs are the future of the civilization ," he said at the ceremony installing him as the country`s new president in October this year.
Five Pillars
Therefore, the agenda of country`s development needs to be sustained by five main pillars - revival of maritime culture, protection of sea natural resources, development of maritime infrastructure and connectivity, and effective maritime diplomacy to jointly develop maritime defense.
"We need a model of sustainable development and management of the sea resources for the welfare of the people," she said.
She said the country also needs technology to make use of the sea potentials as well as to preserve the natural wealth.
She said the country already has a number of scientific and technological research centers in the maritime sector under various agencies .
"However, we can`t stop at what we already have . Research and development must continue and be expanded considering the country`s vast sea territory," she said.
She said she hoped at least ten new marine and fishery academies could be opened to turn out skilled human resources in the marine and fishery sector in the next five years before the present government ended its term.
Editor : John Nikita S
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2014