UNAIR NEWS – On the heels of the new year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNAIR held a screening for the Annual Press Statement of the Foreign Minister (PPTM) 2024. Dr. Dian Triansyah Diani SE MA, a special staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry was featured as the speaker at the event. The screening was held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Adi Sukadana Hall, Dharmawangsa-B Campus, Universitas Airlangga.
Dean of FISIP Prof. Dr. Bagong Suyanto Drs MSi expressed his gratitude for the event. He hoped the dialogue could improve students’ knowledge.
“I would like to thank the Foreign Affairs Ministry for reaching out and inviting the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UNAIR to host this event. Hopefully, it will bring valuable information to the students, particularly through the dialogue with the special staff about Indonesia’s foreign policy,” he said.
Annual Press Statement of the Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi outlined the ‘4+1 priorities’ of Indonesia’s foreign policy. The priorities are focused on economic diplomacy, citizen protection, sovereignty and nationality, leadership in the region and the world, plus diplomatic infrastructure.
Dr. Triansyah highlighted key points from the statement, which include ‘the Ministry serves the community’ and ‘the Down-to-Earth Diplomacy for the community’s welfare and diplomacy’.
“Third, maintaining consistency in practicing foreign policy. ‘Free and active foreign policy’ is still relevant. Our stance must align with the diplomatic principles since this republic was first established. We choose to save humanity, that we always adhere to the constitution,” he added.
The ‘+1’ in the formula, which refers to diplomatic infrastructure, is crucial, as the four other priorities heavily rely on it.
Foreign Policy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry
In her speech, the Minister stated that countries in Africa were ‘coming into view’. Responding to this, Dr. Triansyah claimed that Indonesia has long had close relations with African countries. However, due to the vulnerability of African countries to conflicts and crises in their administrations, these relations have not been fully leveraged.
“We have several potential sectors to collaborate with Africa. Did you know that we constructed the ‘WIKA’ toll road in Algeria? In one of the African countries, their presidential palace was built by Indonesia. We have already ventured into Africa through infrastructure development,” he said.
The use of soft power, such as culture, is also one of Indonesia’s diplomatic tools. A few months ago, the Indonesian language was recognized as an official language by UNESCO. Additionally, the rendang factory in Bulgaria is another example of Indonesia’s diplomatic soft power.
“We’re using soft power in our diplomacy. We will use anything possible to advance national interests,” he said.
As the government transition approaches, the special staff declared that the Foreign Affairs is always prepared. “We are the first-ever ministry that was established, just a couple of days post-independence. The Foreign Ministry serves the nation and the republic. We will perform our responsibilities regardless of who leads Indonesia,” he said.
Author: Muhammad Naqsya Riwansia
Editor: Feri Fenoria
