VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

An international relations observer of University of Indonesia, Beginda Pakpahan hoped in Jakarta on Friday that Indonesia can balance foreign policy measures amidst the challenges of international uncertainty that are currently engulfing the world. He said that the uncertainty in international relations is suspected to be happening in some countries in the western part of the world. This is indicated by the widespread conflicts that occur both in the internal state and within a region.

To anticipate the existing phenomenon, Beginda said, Indonesia by relying on active free foreign policy will be able to play a major role in the regional and global arena in order to safeguard the national interest.

"...So, it should be balanced and also strategic in choosing policy. And I see active and free foreign policy can still be used. For example, when multilateralism relations are in challenge, we can try to do bilateralism; we can try to do limited pluraliteralism which can roughly support the economic and political interests of Indonesia, and can also maintain the stability, peace and security at regional and global levels. Because, it is mentioned in our Constitution," Beginda Pakpahan said.

Earlier in an Annual Press Statement, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the 2018 world situation would still be filled with various challenges and uncertainties. She said, political and security instability at the global level remains the biggest risk factor in 2018. Facing such challenges, the Minister said that Indonesia would prioritize partnerships to respect international law by continuing to develop multilateralism. In addition, she also remarked that Indonesia will also build partnerships to strengthen regional and global cooperation. (ndy)