Foreign Minister: President Jokowi's Visit To East Asia Strengthens G20 Chair's Support

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi gave a press statement witnessed virtually from Jakarta, Thursday (28/7/2022). Screenshot via ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi said the visit of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to three countries in East Asia, namely China, Japan, and South Korea, was considered to strengthen support for Indonesia's chairmanship at the G20 Summit.

Foreign Minister Retno after accompanying President Jokowi's bilateral meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Yongsan Presidential Office, Seoul, Thursday, July 28, local time, stated that this visit would certainly strengthen support for the Indonesian Presidency, especially all preparations related to the G20 Summit.

The Foreign Minister explained that President Jokowi's visit from Monday (25/7) to Thursday not only strengthened economic cooperation, but also succeeded in carrying out a cooperative approach based on open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Public and private trust from the three countries in political stability and economic growth in Indonesia is also very strong.

"In the midst of a world situation filled with rivalries and 'containment' efforts, Indonesia has actually strengthened friendships and concrete cooperation with world countries," said Retno.

The Foreign Minister said that in every meeting, the leaders of the three countries appreciated President Jokowi's leadership in contributing to peace and global problems.

With Indonesia's role as the Chair of ASEAN in 2023, Retno also assessed that President Jokowi's visit was very useful for the strategic position of China, Japan, and South Korea in establishing relations with ASEAN countries.

"The president in the meeting said that Indonesia wants to continue to strengthen ASEAN, making ASEAN relevant and 'matters' not only for the ASEAN community, but also for the world," said Retno.