The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures that every form of cooperation arrangement prioritizes national interests

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang. (Rafly/Infomed/Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the proposed overflight clearance proposed by the United States is still under consideration by Indonesia with national interests in mind.

This was explained by the Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, regarding the news regarding free access to fly for US military aircraft in Indonesian airspace.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, explained that overflight clearance is a proposal from the United States and it is still a part of the internal consideration of the Indonesian Government.

"The mechanism, the regulations and various details still need to be carefully examined, certainly placing our national interests, our airspace sovereignty, and the principle of free and active foreign policy as the most important foundation," said Yvonne.

"What we need to continue to emphasize is the importance of continuing to place our national interests, in this context, the sovereignty of the Indonesian airspace as a priority," said Yvonne.

Previously, Yvonne ensured that all forms of cooperation arrangements with foreign partners, including the United States, remained within the framework of Indonesia's full sovereignty and followed the applicable national rules.

It is known that the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin together with the Minister of Defense of the United States Pete Hegseth signed an increase in defense cooperation entitled Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) at the Pentagon, Monday.

The Head of the Defense Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, confirmed that the US strategic plan to access Indonesia's comprehensive air routes or overflight clearance permission was not included in the MDCP.

According to Rico, the point of cooperation related to the US strategic plan to access Indonesia's comprehensive air routes is still being considered by the Prabowo Subianto Presidential Government.

He explained that in the process of considering the proposal, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense would continue to prioritize Indonesian sovereignty, national interests, and compliance with applicable national and international laws.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense also emphasized, "the authority, control, and supervision over Indonesian airspace are entirely in the hands of the Indonesian state. Any possible arrangement still guarantees Indonesia's full authority to approve or reject any activity in the national airspace."