Receives Award From Vladimir Putin, Megawati Opens Space Cooperation Opportunity: Already Talked With Jokowi

Jakarta - Megawati Soekarnoputri said that the opportunity for cooperation in research and technology between Indonesia and Russia, especially in the field of outer space, was very open.

This was revealed by Megawati when delivering her response to receiving the Order of Friendship award from the Russian Government, at her residence on Jalan Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, June 2.

The award was directly from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin who assigned the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Lyudmila Vorobieva, to hand it over.

In front of Lyudmila, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) ex officio as assigned by the president had told his experience when relations between the two countries were first initiated by President Soekarno and President Voroshilov.

As young people at that time, they were asked to meet some of the astronauts who had come to Indonesia. Among them is Yuri Gagarin, who has succeeded in making many young Indonesians dream of becoming astronauts.

Megawati admitted that she had spoken with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) that the cooperative relationship with Russia could be improved. Especially regarding technology and space.

"Things related to space we should continue to process between Russia and Indonesia," said Megawati.

Megawati also asked Ambassador Lyudmila to convey to Putin that President Jokowi had just formed BRIN. And he was assigned by the president to be the Chairman of the Steering Committee ex officio BRIN.

"And I have said to President Jokowi, for one day we can strengthen further as I said earlier in research relations with the Russian state," said Megawati.

The fifth Indonesian president also promised to visit Russia when the pandemic was over. The reason was that Megawati wanted to receive the award in person in Moscow. But the pandemic got in the way.

"But maybe one day, after this pandemic is over, I will visit Russia, personally convey this honor to President Putin. And of course, God willing, with this visit, we can discuss many things again," Megawati said.

Responding to this, Ambassador Lyudmila said she would convey all these things directly to President Putin.

"Your Excellency has touched on important issues in our bilateral relationship. Including the development of relations in the fields of space, research, technology, and high technology," said Lyudmila.

He said the Government of the Russian Federation is ready to partner with Indonesia in various fields, including the field of military defense equipment.

The Russian ambassador also admitted that President Putin was waiting for the right time to come to Indonesia. Moreover, Russia is expecting a strategic partnership declaration to be signed by the two countries in various strategic sectors. This will mark the prospect of developing cooperation in various fields.

"Russia regards Indonesia as a long-standing partner and friend, and there is a close relationship between our countries which has been built on the basis since President Soekarno," said Lyudmila.

At the event, the Secretary General of the DPP PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto, along with Megawati's daughter, who is also the chairman of the DPR, Puan Maharani, was present. Also attending were the Chair of the PDIP DPP for foreign affairs who is also the Deputy Chair of the MPR Ahmad Basarah, and the Chair of the PDIP DPP for law who is also the Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly.

Hasto Kristiyanto explained that the awarding of the Order of Friendship title from Russia to the Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri was part of the 70th anniversary of Indonesia-Russia relations. He believes that this will further strengthen relations between the two countries.

"Relations and the long history between the two countries can be improved," Hasto said.