VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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The General Directorate of Maritime Transport of the Ministry of Transport has built 28 new ports in the 10-year period 2014-2024. ANTARA/HO Public Relations of the Ministry of Transport

VOI News, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi urged Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob to continue supporting Palestine through existing diplomatic channels during their bilateral meeting.

As reported by Antara News Agency (28/9), this request was made especially because Slovenia is currently holding the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for September 2024.

"Indonesia hopes that Slovenia, as the (current holder of the) UNSC Presidency, will continue to support the Palestinian people's struggle, including through sending humanitarian aid and urging Israel to stop its violence and occupation of Palestine," she noted in a statement from her office on Saturday.

At the meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Friday (September 27), local time, Marsudi lauded Slovenia's decision to recognize Palestinian sovereignty since June 4, 2024.

Moreover, the minister then highlighted the consistency of the Southern European country in calling for a ceasefire and smooth provision of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, as well as supporting the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

During the meeting, the foreign minister also invited Golob to encourage cooperation in the water sector, especially through the exchange of experiences and technology transfer to ensure access to clean water for countries in need.

Besides, Minister Marsudi pointed out that the water and disaster issue had become a matter of concern following Hurricane Boris, which hit central and eastern Europe on September 11-16, causing floods in several areas and severing electricity supply.

Golob, according to the statement, shared Marsudi's views on establishing more concrete cooperation in various fields, including the use of supercomputer technology, artificial intelligence, and satellite technology for monitoring weather and water sources.

Representatives of United Nations member countries gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York to attend the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 22–28, 2024.(Antara)

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali speaks to the press after honoring President Joko Widodo with the Hiu Kencana Honorary Brevet at the Military Sea Command Headquarters, North Jakarta, Saturday (September 28, 2024). (ANTARA/Rangga Pandu A J/rst)

VOI News, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo  emphasized the importance of domestically developing defense equipment, particularly submarine fleets, according to a senior navy official. Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali made the statement after bestowing the Hiu Kencana Honorary Brevet on the president at the Military Sea Command Headquarters in North Jakarta on Saturday as reported by Antara News Agency (28/9).

"The president instructs us to always prioritize the domestic manufacture of these ships," Muhammad Ali conveyed.

Amid the planning to procure submarines from France, the admiral affirmed that cooperation would be established with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL for the production of Indonesian ships and defense equipment to develop this project.

"This is a joint venture between Naval Group and PT PAL to build the latest Scorpène® Evolved submarine equipped with advanced propulsion and weaponry technology," Admiral Muhammad Ali pointed out.

He further expressed hope that this cooperation would strengthen the capabilities of the Indonesian Navy and support the independence of the national defense industry.

"This Scorpène® submarine is the evolved one, the most recent release, which is quite sophisticated in terms of propulsion and weaponry," he highlighted.

On Saturday, President Jokowi was bestowed the Hiu Kencana honorary brevet as a mark of appreciation for his support for the Navy.

"The president has helped the Navy and Submarine Unit in improving and building the strength of the submarine fleet," Ali remarked.

The Hiu Kencana Honorary Brevet was also conferred on Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who was also present at the event.

According to Admiral Muhammad Ali, President Jokowi has played a significant role in strengthening Indonesia's submarine fleet through policies applied along with Minister Prabowo.

He also noted that the awarding of this honorary brevet is in keeping with the tradition since almost all Indonesian presidents, including Soekarno, Soeharto, Habibie, Megawati, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, have received the same award. (Antara)