In Washington, Minister Retno Holds Online Meeting With G7 Foreign Ministers To Discuss Food Security Issues Due To The Ukraine War

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed the issue of food security as a result of the war in Ukraine in an online meeting with foreign ministers of G7 countries, Friday, May 13.

Retno said the war in Ukraine had an impact on global food security which was also felt by developing countries. There must be an effort so that the issue of scarcity and high food prices can be prevented, including by not including food in sanctions.

Indonesia also reminded about the importance of fertilizer, as part of efforts to maintain food security, said Retno.

The exchange of views between the Indonesian Foreign Minister in Indonesia's capacity as President of the G20 and the G7 foreign ministers at the meeting was considered very positive, quoted from Antara, Saturday, May 14.

No country wants the G20 to split up, he said, and the discussions were carried out with enthusiasm to find solutions to the current difficult situation.

Regarding the G20, the G7 countries understand the complex and difficult situation they are currently facing, and all meeting participants provide support for the Indonesian presidency.

Retno also extended an invitation to the G7 foreign ministers to attend the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bali next July, to continue open and constructive discussions.

Meeting with Blinken

On the same day on the sidelines of the ASEAN-US Summit which took place in Washington, Foreign Minister Retno also held a bilateral meeting with US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken to discuss bilateral, regional and various global issues of mutual concern.

Blinken expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's role and leadership, both as the coordinator of the ASEAN-US partnership and Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN, and several global issues such as Afghanistan.

In bilateral cooperation, the two foreign ministers agreed to increase cooperation in the health sector, especially in the framework of readiness to face potential pandemics in the future.

Indonesia and the US welcome the upgrading of the ASEAN-US partnership status to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The US Foreign Minister also explained about the Indo-Pacific Economic Partnership (IPEF) initiative which will be launched in the near future.

Indonesia hopes that IPEF can complement and synergize with the implementation of priority cooperation in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

In discussing global issues, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan.