Call The Challenges Faced Equally, Foreign Minister Retno: Good Relations Of The Pacific-Asia Tenggara So Indo-Pacific Fondation

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Secretary General of PIF Henry Puna. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held a series of bilateral meetings with countries and organizations in the Pacific region, to strengthen Indonesia's cooperation with countries in the Pacific, on the sidelines of holding the 'Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development' (IPFD) in Bali, Wednesday.

Those met simultaneously by Foreign Minister Retno were Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Henry Puna, Minister of Pacific Affairs New Zealand Aupito William Sio, Prime Minister of Niue Dalton Stagelagi and Minister of Law of the Micronesian Federation Joses R. Gallen.

In a meeting with the Secretary General of PIF, Foreign Minister Retno exchanged views on various challenges in the region, agreeing on the importance of good relations between blocks in the Indo-Pacific region. "The Pacific area is an inseparable part of the Indo-Pacific.

The challenges faced are the same. Therefore, good relations between blocks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific will be a good foundation for the creation of a stable and prosperous Indo Pacific region," said Foreign Minister Retno, in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday, December 8.

Secretary General of the PIF expressed his appreciation for Foreign Minister Retno's visit to the PIF Secretariat in Suva in September 2022. Meanwhile, during a meeting with the Minister of Pacific Affairs for New Zealand Aupito William Sio, Foreign Minister Retno received appreciation for Indonesia's leadership in the region and world, including Indonesia's presidency at the G20.

Minister Sio also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's activeness in dealing and collaborating with Pacific countries.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno encouraged triangular cooperation with New Zealand for the Pacific. This kind of collaboration will have more impact on the Pacific. Next, in a meeting with PM Niue, the Indonesian Foreign Minister conveyed Indonesia's commitment to cooperate with Niue, especially in the field of climate change.

"Indonesia's presidency has produced concrete delivery for developing countries. There are at least 10 cooperation projects that Pacific countries can take advantage of, especially regarding climate change," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile, PM Tagelgi warmly welcomes cooperation with Indonesia regarding climate change in particular to help Niue conservation efforts. He also expressed his hope for Indonesia's support for Niue in various fora, regional and international forms. Meanwhile, at a meeting with the Minister of Law of the Micronesian Federation Joses R. Gallen, Foreign Minister Retno discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, including visa-free issues for diplomatic passports and discussed cooperation in exchanging information regarding the implementation of UNCLOS 1982.