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mbassadors of the world'€™s southern countries emphasized the importance of overcoming common problems at the 60th year commemoration of the Asian-African Conference (AAC) in Bandung and Jakarta starting this weekend.

One of the main issues to be discussed is the importance of security derived from the support and solidarity of the African-Asian forum.

According to Tunisian Ambassador to Indonesia Mourad Belhassen, the economic focus of the upcoming conference will not suffice in forging strong Asian-African relations, as there is a need to rally against new challenges with the support of friendly countries.

Belhassen argued that the most important challenge of development for nations of both continents was stability and security from extremism.

'€œFor this forum to be effective, we will have to tackle the problems we'€™re facing today. Among the issues is the rise of extremism, which is a plague haunting both continents '€” especially our area in the Middle East and North Africa,'€ Belhassen said during a seminar on strengthening South-South cooperation, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In the same tone, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh also emphasized that the focus should be directed at today'€™s challenges, including terrorism, disaster management, drugs and money laundering.

Singh said that it was up to the participating countries to continue the legacy of the 1955 conference, which had readily provided a foundation for peaceful relations.

'€œFrom the Indian point of view, the best contribution was already made in 1955, when the Dasasila was enunciated,'€ he said on Wednesday.

'€œIf everybody followed the Dasasila, to which we'€™re all committed, the amount of conflict among the countries would actually come down.'€

The Foreign Ministry'€™s director for technical cooperation, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, said that the forum would be the best place to unite in resolving common problems.

'€œNorthern countries can provide the needs of the southern countries, but only southern countries know what they really need,'€ she concluded.

The issue of security itself will be a focal point for the successful hosting of the conference.

As the organizer of the intercontinental gathering, Indonesia is committed to providing ample security for many world leaders, legislators and business heads who are set to descend on Jakarta and Bandung.

Entering the last stage of AAC security preparations, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police are ready to deploy around 26,000 personnel as well as weaponry systems such as jet fighters, helicopters, warships and special forces personnel.

'€œThe TNI and police will not allow any party to disturb the conference,'€ TNI chief Gen. Moeldoko told journalists after attending a morning ceremony for AAC security preparations at the National Monument (Monas) square in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According Moeldoko, the TNI would mobilize jet fighters and warships in an effort to create security and comfort for heads of state participating in the conference.

'€œWe have trained the personnel, and they are ready,'€ he said.

The Air Force has planned to deploy its collection of jet fighters, Sukhoi Su-27, Sukhoi Su-30 and F-16 to patrol during the event. Besides deploying jet fighters, Super Puma helicopters and Colibri-type helicopters will be at the ready.
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'€œAmong the issues is the rise of extremism, which is a plague haunting both continents.'€