Foreign Minister Sugiono Promises To Continue Retno Marsudi's Struggle, Including Palestine's Defense

Foreign Minister Sugiono shook hands with the Indonesian Foreign Minister for the 2014-2024 period Retno Marsudi after the welcoming ceremony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Monday (21/10/2024). (ANTARA/Nabil Ihsan)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Sugiono emphasized that he would continue the struggles and achievements that his predecessor, Retno Marsudi, had in charge of managing Indonesia's diplomacy in the Red and White Cabinet.

"I want to continue the struggle and all the kindness that has been left (Mrs. Retno) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the world of international diplomacy," said Sugiono after the farewell ceremony with the Indonesian Foreign Minister for the 2014-2024 period Retno Marsudi in Jakarta as reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 21.

Sugiono said this was in accordance with one of the messages that Retno gave him, namely for him to continue Indonesia's diplomatic struggle.

According to Sugiono, what his predecessor left while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the era of President Joko Widodo was extraordinary for Indonesia.

In addition, the Foreign Minister also highlighted another mandate conveyed by Prabowo Subianto in his inauguration speech on Sunday (20/10), namely continuing to fight for Palestinian independence.

"Our concern for Palestine is absolute," he asserted.

For this reason, the Palestinian issue will remain one of the focuses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under his leadership.

"We will also continue to be actively involved in efforts to free and eliminate colonialism above the world, as mandated by the 1945 Constitution," said the Foreign Minister.

Sugiono is one of 48 ministers and five ministerial-level officials in the composition of the 2024-2029 Red and White Cabinet which was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday morning.

In carrying out his duties, Sugiono was assisted by Anis Matta, Arrmanatha Nasir, and Arif Havas Oegroseno as deputy foreign ministers. The three Deputy Foreign Ministers have also been sworn in on Monday afternoon.

Sugiono is known to have been tasked with welcoming state guests who came to the country to attend the Prabowo-Gibran inauguration ceremony.

He welcomed the Special Envoy of the President of the United Arab Emirates Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan who arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Saturday (19/10).