Meeting Prabowo, German President Soroti Indonesia's Strategic Role as Indo-Pacific Stability Guard

JAKARTA - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier considers Indonesia to have an increasingly important position as a guardian of stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid rising global geopolitical tensions.

Steinmeier made the statement while giving a joint statement with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 16.

In the midst of ongoing wars in a number of regions, ranging from Europe, the Middle East, to conflicts in Africa, Germany considers its partnership with Indonesia to be increasingly strategic because both countries have a commitment to a world order based on international rules.

"We in Europe are very attentive to what is happening in the Indo-Pacific. We see the important role of ASEAN in developing a security architecture in this region. Indonesia is an important factor of stability in ASEAN," said Steinmeier.

According to him, Indonesia not only has confidence in this role, but continues to strengthen its contribution in maintaining regional stability.

Steinmeier said that the relationship between Indonesia and Germany, which has been established since the 2012 Jakarta Declaration, needs to be expanded, not only in the economic field, but also in education, research, culture, and efforts to face common global challenges.

Steinmeier's visit to Indonesia is his fourth visit. This, he said, reflects the importance of the relationship between Jakarta and Berlin in the midst of an increasingly uncertain world situation.

For Germany, the development of the Indo-Pacific region can no longer be separated from European security and economic interests. Therefore, cooperation with Indonesia and ASEAN is an important part of facing the changing global geopolitical landscape.