Foreign Minister Retno Admits The World's Trust Deficit Is Increasing Due To The Russo-Ukrainian War

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi delivered a speech during the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers session at the 12th Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, India (Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi highlighted the phenomenon of reduced trust between countries which made it difficult for the world to face global challenges. Such as pandemic conditions to food, energy, and financial crises.

He conveyed this in front of the foreign ministers of ASEAN and India, during a Ministerial Speech Session at the 12th Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, India, Thursday, June 16 evening.

"The world's trust deficit is getting higher due to the Russia-Ukraine war," said Retno in a message received, Antara, Jakarta, Friday, June 17.

Retno likened the deficit of trust as a virus that became a barrier for countries to be able to establish cooperation.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister also stated that the confidence deficit "virus" could easily turn into open conflict.

"What happened in Ukraine is an alarm for all of us in the Indo-Pacific, including ASEAN and India. I am pleased that for more than five decades, ASEAN has worked hard to maintain peace and stability in the region. And we must continue this, we must continue to develop a strategic confidence 'vaccine' to fight the confidence deficit 'virus'," said the Foreign Minister.

Two things that Retno called can be a strategic trust "vaccine". First, by opening the door for any country to be invited to collaborate, so that development in the Indo-Pacific region is inclusive.

Second, the Foreign Minister continued, the region must focus on real cooperation and really have an impact on people's lives.

"Speaking of concrete cooperation, the four priorities in ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific can be a good start. Maritime issues, in particular, are very relevant to the context of the ASEAN-India partnership," said Retno.

Previously, in a closed session of the ASEAN-India Special Meeting of Foreign Ministers which was held on the morning of the same day, several points were agreed on maritime issues. Citing a document released by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers forum welcomed the proposal for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.