Jakarta. Indonesia on Monday (20/11) urged member countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting, or ASEM, to step up efforts through concrete cooperation to tackle rising terrorism and radicalism, combat illegal drugs and address the issue of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

Speaking at the 13th ASEM Foreign Minister’s Meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted the forum's role for peace and stability in the two regions and the interdependence of peace and sustainable development.

"Peace and sustainable developments are two sides of the same coin. Without peace, there will be no sustainable development and lack of development threatens peace," Retno said, as quoted in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Established in 1996, ASEM is comprised of 51 Asean and European countries, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). This year, the meeting takes place in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

During the occasion, Retno also touched on the EU's "discrimination" toward palm oil products, including the European Parliament resolution – adopted earlier this year in April – on palm oil and deforestation.

"There is a strong link between palm oil production and the efforts to eradicate poverty in Indonesia, which is why we urge for fair treatment on palm oil products in the European Union market," Retno said.

Indonesia produced more than 35 million tons of palm oil in 2016, 25 million tons of which were exported worldwide.

The government has continued to counter the negative campaign against palm oil products through various approaches, including highlighting the role of palm oil in providing jobs for millions across the archipelago and the industry’s contribution to increase prosperity for the people.

On the sidelines of the ASEM Meeting, Retno also held several bilateral meetings. This includes meetings with her counterparts from Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Bangladesh and the European Union.