Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs: We Must Be Present in Many Places and Make Friends

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono. (Rafly/Infomed/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono said that Indonesia must be present and make friends in many places, reminding Indonesia that it is part of the world community as stated in the Constitution, appreciating criticism in the context of improvement in accordance with accurate data and facts.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono regarding the criticism and suggestions made by former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dino Patti Djalal regarding President Prabowo Subianto's working visit abroad.

"Constitutionally, Indonesia is part of international relations, part of the world community. This requires a presence in the international arena," he explained after a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar Alice N'Diaye at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Wednesday (3/6).

Citing what President Prabowo said, Foreign Minister Sugiono said a thousand friends were too few, one enemy too many, emphasizing that Indonesia was a neutral country.

"The implementation or the consequences of this is that we have to be present in many places, we have to be friends with everyone, we have to mingle," he explained.

It is known that President Prabowo was advised by Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal to reduce his state visits abroad which were in the spotlight of the public, in a post on his Instagram account.

Foreign Minister Sugiono ensured that President Prabowo's visit "was well planned, preceded by good diplomatic discussions. The President decided, we gave substantive advice and priorities that needed to be discussed," he said.

He explained that the dynamics that are happening in the world today cannot be faced with conventional channels, because the situation is unusual, highlighting conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and regions of the world.

"The mandate of the law, Indonesia wants to be involved in the efforts for world peace and order, proactively offering itself, offering Indonesia to become a bridge," explained the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Sugiono assessed that direct meetings in diplomacy are different from just a phone call, where "you can see body language, there is personal closeness, from there you can talk about more things, the point is."

Foreign Minister Sugiono said he had not seen the video of criticism and suggestions made by Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal. However, he thanked all the suggestions and criticisms.

"Thank you for all the suggestions. Criticism in the context of improvement is good, of course it must be constructive, based on accurate facts and data," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.