Firmly To Kenya's Foreign Minister, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin: Indonesia's Commitment To Build Asia-Africa Never Changes!

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin receives a visit from Kenyan Foreign Minister Raychelle Omamo (Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin emphasized Indonesia's commitment to the interests of countries in Asia and Africa.

This was conveyed by Ma'ruf Amin while receiving an honorary visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) of Kenya, Raychelle Omamo at the Vice President's Official Residence, in Jakarta, Thursday, March 17.

"Indonesia's commitment has never changed since the Asia-Africa Conference so that we can build Asia and Africa together, especially Indonesia and countries in Africa," said Ma'ruf as quoted by Antara.

According to Ma'ruf, this commitment is shown in the big theme of the Indonesian Presidency at the G20, namely Recover together, recover stronger. "The program covers three areas, namely strengthening global architecture, digital transformation and the third is energy transition," he said.

In addition, Indonesia's commitment is also realized through various bilateral cooperation frameworks and international conferences.

"The relationship of future economic development for the welfare of the people is also Indonesia's commitment which is realized through various bilateral efforts and international conference forums. For example, yesterday Indonesia hosted a conference on water, namely Asia International Water Week," said the Vice President.

Furthermore, Vice President Ma'ruf also appreciated the good relations between Indonesia and Kenya in various fields including education, such as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University and Umma University, and cooperation between Padjadjaran University and the University of Nairobi.

"I hope that all the cooperation agreements that have been signed can be realized with concrete actions," said the Vice President.

Vice President Ma'ruf also appreciated Kenya's excellent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, so that restrictions on community activities in the country have now been lifted.

"I appreciate Kenya who has managed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic well. Hopefully the efforts made by Kenya can become 'best practices' in handling the pandemic for other African countries," said the Vice President.

On the same occasion, Vice President Ma'ruf expressed his hopes for the plan to hold presidential elections in Kenya on August 9, 2022.

"As a country that both upholds democratic values, I hope that the elections in Kenya can take place in a peaceful, safe, honest and democratic manner so that the results are of high quality," said the vice president.

Foreign Minister Omamo said that Kenya was happy that Indonesia was carrying out one of the priorities in the G20 regarding the energy transition, because it was in line with Kenya's commitment to developing clean energy.

"Kenya currently produces 73 percent of its energy from clean energy sources, be it energy from water, solar, wind or geothermal power, and we hope to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2030," Foreign Minister Omamo said.

Foreign Minister Omamo also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's support, so that currently Kenya has been included in the ranks of the UN Security Council.

"Therefore, we will always be open to consultation and coordination regarding international peace and security issues that we can resolve together," said Omamo.

Foreign Minister Omamo conveyed Kenya's commitment to continue to open up opportunities for cooperation, especially in the trade sector with Indonesia. Even not only Kenya, but also in the East Africa region and the African continent in general can be done through free trade agreements.

Lastly, regarding the holding of the Kenya General Election in August 2022, Foreign Minister Omamo ensured that the change of government regime in the future would not change the friendship between Indonesia and Kenya that had been good so far.

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"Even though there will be a new government, the friendship and closeness between Indonesia and Kenya will continue to be maintained," said Foreign Minister Omamo asserting,

Also accompanying the Kenyan Foreign Minister, the Director General of Bilateral Relations and Political Affairs of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Galma Boru, the Ad Interim Charge d'Affaires (KUAI) of the Kenyan Embassy to Indonesia, Jackson Nyagaka Onkoba, and the Director of Asia and Australasia of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paul Ndung'u.

Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya Mohamad Hery Saripudin, Head of the Vice Presidential Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Special Staff for the Vice President for Bureaucratic Reform M Nasir, Special Staff for the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, and Plt. Deputy for Government Policy Support and National Insight Lukman Hakim Siregar.