VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi received a visit from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Jakarta. Foreign Minister Retno said this year marks 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, so it should be utilized as a momentum to improve cooperative relations.

"Lithuania and Indonesia are geographically far apart, but we share the same commitment to the fundamental values of democracy, peace and sustainable development," she said in a joint statement after the meeting, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Jakarta, Monday (30/10/2023).

In the field of trade, until mid-2023, Indonesia-Lithuania cooperation increased by 43 percent compared to the previous year. However, according to Retno, this number does not yet show the true potential of cooperation between the two countries.

"To increase two-way trade and ensure more balanced trade benefits, I ask for Minister Landsbergis' support in facilitating more Indonesian products to enter the Lithuanian market, including rubber, paper and wood-based furniture," she said.

Retno further welcomed Indonesian palm oil which is one of the main export commodities to Lithuania. According to her, nearly 800 plantations in Indonesia have received the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificate.

"I believe Indonesia will be able to provide more sustainable palm oil to Lithuania," she said.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno also expressed her appreciation for the expansion of Lithuanian aviation industry investment at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport, including charter flights and new air transportation.

Foreign Minister Retno also highlighted cooperation in education and information technology cooperation. In this regard, she said, the two Foreign Ministers focused on increasing cooperation between universities through joint research and double degree programs.

"This year, Indonesia has also reopened the Darmasiswa Scholarship for Lithuanian students, and there are already 73 Lithuanian alumni from this Darmasiswa Scholarship," she said.

Retno also encouraged stronger cooperation to develop information technology for land and air transportation systems, as well as strengthen cybersecurity partnerships, through human resource capacity building. (Andy Romdoni)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, here on Monday, expressed hope that two-way trade between Indonesia and Lithuania would increase.

"In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between the two countries rose by almost 43 percent from the same period in the previous year. However, our bilateral trade volume has not yet shown its true potential," she remarked.

Marsudi made the statement after a bilateral meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in Jakarta on Monday.

Based on data from the Indonesian Trade Ministry, the value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Lithuania had reached US$53.7 million in 2022, with a trade balance deficit trend of 5.12 percent during the 2018-2022 period.

To increase two-way trade and ensure more balanced trade, Marsudi sought support from Landsbergis in facilitating more Indonesian products to enter the Lithuanian market. Those products include rubber products, paper, and wooden furniture.

She also welcomed the presence of palm oil, which became one of the main export commodities from Indonesia to Lithuania.

"With almost 800 plantations in Indonesia having received ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification, I am confident that Indonesia can provide more sustainable palm oil to Lithuania and the wider European market," she affirmed.

In a bid to bolster business-to-business relations, Marsudi welcomed the plan to ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists on the sidelines of Landsbergis' visit to Jakarta.

In the field of investment, Indonesia commended the expansion of investment of the Lithuanian aviation industry at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, and Lithuania's new charter airlines and air transportation services.

At Monday's meeting, also held to commemorate three decades of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Lithuania, the two ministers also discussed efforts to boost cooperation in information technology, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy, agriculture, and space technology sectors.

Landsbergis stated that the two countries have the same interests in diversifying supply chains, strengthening cybersecurity, and improving resilience against hybrid threats.

He also emphasized Lithuania's support for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), for which negotiations are currently underway. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized the importance of neutrality for all acting regional heads in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

He stated that he evaluates their work daily and removes any who are found to be biased.

"I evaluate (their work) every day. Once they have gone rogue, I will change their position. That is my prerogative," he stated while addressing all Indonesian acting regional heads at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

Jokowi also urged all acting regional heads to provide full support to the General Election Commission (KPU) and General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).

"However, do not intervene in their work," he emphasized.

He said that the support and assistance can be provided in the form of the operational budget that should be disbursed immediately.

He also reminded acting regional heads to desist from taking sides with any election candidate.

"I also ask you not to take sides. Your work is being monitored. It is very easy to spot which acting regional head is taking sides," Jokowi stated.

Moreover, he called on acting regional heads to ensure that all ASN will be neutral in facing the 2024 general election.

"Lastly, please maintain harmony in your ranks. Resolve it immediately if there is a spark related to politics," he said.

Jokowi said he will evaluate all these directions on a daily basis. Various obstacles related to the implementation of elections can be reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs and to the president.

"I will continue to monitor your work and duties. If there is a problem, please immediately report it to the Ministry of Home Affairs. If it is serious, immediately come to me, so I can help," he remarked.

The president's meeting with acting regional heads was attended by 37 acting mayors, 133 acting district heads, and 23 acting governors throughout Indonesia.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani also accompanied President Jokowi at the meeting. (Antaranews)

VOInews, Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi invited Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to participate in efforts to stop violence in Palestine. According to her, this is needed to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

"I invite Lithuania to participate in the call for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians, and to ensure safe and sustainable survival and unimpeded humanitarian assistance," she said in a statement delivered after a bilateral meeting with Gabrielius Landsbergis, in Jakarta, Monday (30/10/2023).

Retno said that in three weeks, more than 7,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, 68 percent of whom were women and children. According to her, these killings and hostilities must stop immediately.

"Are these numbers not enough to stop the killings, and initiate an immediate, durable, and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, leading to a cessation of hostilities?," she said.

She also invited all parties to defend justice and humanity. "Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine must end based on internationally agreed parameters," she concluded.(Andy Romdoni)