UNAIR NEWS 鈥 On the heels of the new year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) held a screening for the Annual Press Statement of the Foreign Minister (PPTM) 2024. Dr. Dian Triansyah Diani SE MA, a special staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry was featured as the speaker at the event. The screening was held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Adi Sukadana Hall, Dharmawangsa-B Campus, 东京热.
Dean of FISIP Prof. Dr. Bagong Suyanto Drs MSi expressed his gratitude for the event. He hoped the dialogue could improve students鈥 knowledge.
鈥淚 would like to thank the Foreign Affairs Ministry for reaching out and inviting the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UNAIR to host this event. Hopefully, it will bring valuable information to the students, particularly through the dialogue with the special staff about Indonesia鈥檚 foreign policy,鈥 he said.
Annual Press Statement of the Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi outlined the 鈥4+1 priorities鈥 of Indonesia鈥檚 foreign policy. The priorities are focused on economic diplomacy, citizen protection, sovereignty and nationality, leadership in the region and the world, plus diplomatic infrastructure.
Dr. Triansyah highlighted key points from the statement, which include 鈥榯he Ministry serves the community鈥 and 鈥榯he Down-to-Earth Diplomacy for the community鈥檚 welfare and diplomacy鈥.
鈥淭hird, maintaining consistency in practicing foreign policy. 鈥楩ree and active foreign policy鈥 is still relevant. Our stance must align with the diplomatic principles since this republic was first established. We choose to save humanity, that we always adhere to the constitution,鈥 he added.
The 鈥+1鈥 in the formula, which refers to diplomatic infrastructure, is crucial, as the four other priorities heavily rely on it.
Foreign Policy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry
In her speech, the Minister stated that countries in Africa were 鈥榗oming into view鈥. Responding to this, Dr. Triansyah claimed that Indonesia has long had close relations with African countries. However, due to the vulnerability of African countries to conflicts and crises in their administrations, these relations have not been fully leveraged.
鈥淲e have several potential sectors to collaborate with Africa. Did you know that we constructed the 鈥榃IKA鈥 toll road in Algeria? In one of the African countries, their presidential palace was built by Indonesia. We have already ventured into Africa through infrastructure development,鈥 he said.
The use of soft power, such as culture, is also one of Indonesia鈥檚 diplomatic tools. A few months ago, the Indonesian language was recognized as an official language by UNESCO. Additionally, the rendang factory in Bulgaria is another example of Indonesia鈥檚 diplomatic soft power.
鈥淲e鈥檙e using soft power in our diplomacy. We will use anything possible to advance national interests,鈥 he said.
As the government transition approaches, the special staff declared that the Foreign Affairs is always prepared. 鈥淲e are the first-ever ministry that was established, just a couple of days post-independence. The Foreign Ministry serves the nation and the republic. We will perform our responsibilities regardless of who leads Indonesia,鈥 he said.
Author: Muhammad Naqsya Riwansia
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