VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and invited global investment in the Northern Sea route which he said could deepen trade between east and west.

Speaking on his second known trip outside the former Soviet Union since the Ukraine war, Putin thanked the Chinese leader for his invitation and said Russia could play a key role in China's modern day revival of the ancient Silk Road.

Putin called Xi his "dear friend" and heaped praise on the Belt and Road Initiative for bringing the world together.

Shortly before Putin starting speaking, a handful of European delegates, including former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, walked out of the room, a Reuters witness said.

"Russia and China, like most countries of the world, share the desire for equal, mutually beneficial cooperation in order to achieve universal sustainable and long-term economic progress and social well-being, while respecting the diversity of civilization and the right of each State to its own development model," Putin said.

Putin said the BRI fitted with Russia which he said was developing a host of transport infrastructure to criss-cross the world's biggest country, notably from the Northern Sea Route which runs from Murmansk near Russia's border with Norway eastwards to the Bering Strait near Alaska

"As for the Northern Sea Route, Russia does not just offer its partners to actively use its transit potential, I will say more: we invite interested states to participate directly in its development, and we are ready to provide reliable ice breaker navigation, communication and supply," Putin said.

"Starting next year, navigation for ice-class cargo ships along the entire length of the Northern Sea Route will become year-round."

Putin, who has attended previous BRI summits, brought a senior delegation from Moscow.

Among the senior Russian officials were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is due to visit North Korea shortly, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, his top oil and gas point man, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Also included were Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin economic aide Maxim Oreshkin, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Igor Morgulov, Russia's ambassador to China. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pahala Nugraha Mansury, has invited European countries to cooperate in the green economy sector to support energy transition programs and achieve the targets of lowering carbon emissions.

"I believe that Indonesia and Europe share the same view on how to advance energy transition and the green economy. We also see plenty of opportunities to cooperate in the blue economy sector in certain regions and countries," he said.

Mansury made the statement in his opening speech during the 2023 Indonesia-Europe Business Forum (IEBF) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Indonesian government has been promoting the adoption of new economies with the objective of helping the country succeed in switching to renewable energy, developing more vaccines, and creating a suitable ecosystem for electric vehicles, he said.

"By implementing programs aimed at developing new economies, especially the green economy, Indonesia seeks to enhance its capacity not only in the use of renewable energy, but also in the development of vaccines and creation of an ecosystem for electric vehicles," he said.

Furthermore, he highlighted Indonesia's vision of establishing a cluster of green industries to connect new and renewable energy resources.

Indonesia is also seeking to develop eco-friendly infrastructure across the country, such as ports and airports that are friendly toward the environment, he added.

The deputy minister further noted that the Indonesian government has made energy transition one of its priorities, adding that Indonesia is striving to lower carbon emissions by 32 percent through unilateral measures by 2030 and by 43 percent in collaboration with international parties.

He said that Indonesia is optimistic of achieving the net-zero emissions target earlier than 2060.

To that end, he said, the Indonesian government has invited European business actors to establish cooperation in developing an ecosystem for the production of electric vehicle batteries and developing alternative energy resources, such as biofuel and green hydrogen.

He then expressed the hope that by hosting the 2023 IEBF, Indonesia would succeed in enhancing its partnership with European countries in the fields of trade, investment, and health.

In that context, he called for more Indonesian health workers to seek work in Europe, while inviting European companies to invest in the health sector in Indonesia, particularly by collaborating in developing health technology and building a center for vaccine production.

The 2023 IEBF, which was attended by at least 300 participants, aimed to be a platform for Indonesia and European countries to solidify their business partnerships with the objective of boosting the value of trade and investment, exploring cooperation opportunities, and strengthening business collaboration.

At the forum, participants focused on exploring cooperation opportunities in five priority sectors, namely health infrastructure, machine and electronics, creative industry, energy transition, and digital economy. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - In their efforts to attract foreign investors such as shortening bureaucratic processes for opening businesses, Asian and African nations must not let convenience be misused for crime, a senior Indonesian official has said.

Director general of general legal administration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham), Cahyo R. Muzhar, made the remarks while reading out the statement of the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, at the annual meeting of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) in Nusa Dua, Bali.

“Countries in Asia and Africa must ensure ease of doing business. This will certainly attract the interest of foreign investors. However, we must ensure that the system and business entities are not misused for criminal activities, so making it easier for businesses must also provide balanced security," he expounded, according to a statement released in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He delivered the remarks during a session on “Investing in Indonesia: Strengthening the Legal Regime and Infrastructure to Support the Business Environment, and to Ensure Legal Certainty in the Settlement of Disputes,” which was held as a part of AALCO’s activities.

AALCO is a consultation forum for Asian and African countries to equalize perceptions and positions on legal issues in order to reach a common stance that can be conveyed at various international meetings, including the United Nations (UN).

Countries in Asia and Africa must ensure that the business facilities implemented are not misused for money laundering practices, he added.

“We have to make our country attractive in the eyes of foreign investors, but we also have to learn from each other so that it doesn’t become a place for money laundering,” Muzhar said.

He also emphasized that AALCO members must implement the agreed-upon international laws. As the host, Indonesia has proposed the formation of an Asset Recovery Forum for AALCO members besieged by criminal acts of corruption and money laundering.

It is hoped that the forum will consist of parties who are experienced and competent in seizing assets from foreign jurisdictions.

A total of 47 AALCO members attended the AALCO annual meeting besides 2 permanent observer countries, (Australia and New Zealand), 3 non-permanent observer countries, (Tunis, Zambia, and Russia), as well as 8 international organizations.

Ambassadors of AALCO members were also present at the opening of AALCO's 61st Annual Meeting, which began on October 16, 2023, and ends on October 20.

Discussions on several current issues will be carried out during a closed session of AALCO members. The main issues that will be discussed at the annual meeting include maritime law, issues related to the situation in Palestine, environmental issues and sustainable development, international trade and investment law, and legal issues in outer space, including conveying AALCO’s views on the issues being discussed by the UN International Law Commission (ILC).

AALCO, which was founded in 1956, is an international cooperation forum that provides support to its 47 member countries in legal issues. The institution has made a major contribution to the economic development of the Asia-Africa region, including Indonesia, which is the largest economic power in Southeast Asia.

Apart from meetings between country members, which will discuss international legal issues, such as maritime law, environmental law, asset recovery, and international trade law, Indonesia, as the host of the 61st AALCO Annual Meeting, has initiated the holding of the Asset Recovery Forum, International Humanitarian side event, Law Discussion Forum, and Business and Investment Forum.

The Business and Investment Forum will include youth forum sessions, panel discussions, business, and an MSME expo, as well as a series of discussions where young people will discuss issues surrounding legal infrastructure and the business world, especially the development of MSMEs.

Through the Business and Investment Forum, it is hoped that Indonesia can promote legal developments in the business world and bridge the information gap between policy makers and business actors. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - While welcoming the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on September 5–7, 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, listed the four primary spirits driving Indonesia's chairmanship of the bloc this year.

First, laying out a long-term vision for the region. In Indonesia's view, a long-term vision is crucial for ensuring ASEAN's future sustainability and guidance.

Second, improving the resilience of ASEAN countries in facing the challenges of the time.

Third, promoting ASEAN as the epicenter of growth. Indonesia has highlighted strengthening food security in the region as one of the major elements in accordance with the theme of its chairmanship: "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth"

Fourth, making the Indo-Pacific a safe and peaceful region. To achieve this, Indonesia will lead member countries in promoting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) among ASEAN partners during the next summit.

Marsudi's statement regarding the four spirits of Indonesia's chairmanship of the ASEAN is a reflection of the values enshrined in Pancasila.

The minister highlighted the importance of laying a long-term vision for the region and strengthening the resilience of ASEAN, not only to ensure sustainability and guidance for the future of ASEAN, but also for mutual cooperation or collaboration in the long-term paradigm of multilateralism.

ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967, and has continued to exist till now because it is based on the spirit of regional cooperation and mutual respect for the sovereignty of each country.

ASEAN cooperation is a form of sincere nationalism. Countries in the Southeast Asian region are doing what is best for them in the long term, and not being provoked by momentary emotions. The cooperation does not only involve ASEAN member countries, but also ASEAN partner countries.

Therefore, the first and second spirit are an effort to revive the values of deliberation, dialogue, and mutual cooperation in the diplomatic interactions of Indonesia with the international community.

These values are a way of life in the Indonesian nation and were introduced by President Soekarno or Bung Karno at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on September 30, 1960, in a speech entitled "To Build the World Anew."

In his remarks, Soekarno conveyed that the world must be rebuilt in conjunction with the independence of Asia-Africa nations and in resistance to colonialism and imperialism. He asked to rebuild the world based on Pancasila and adopt it as an international ideology.

Soekarno also argued why every country needs to adopt Pancasila as its state ideology by showing that Pancasila values are not only national, but universal and international.

Belief in God Almighty is a universal value, humanity is universal, nationalism is universal, democracy is universal, and social justice is universal. In fact, particularly for nationalism, he explained that nationalism is embraced by all modern countries.

Likewise, the statement regarding the third spirit, which is promoting ASEAN as a center of economic growth, is in line with the principles of humanity and social justice, with the movement of the economy in the region arising from economic and social stimulation.

The epicenter of growth that ASEAN intended to realize concerns social equality and the creation of a resilient economy as well as a balance between planning in each ASEAN country to ensure social justice.

Meanwhile, the fourth spirit of leadership to make the Indo-Pacific a safe and peaceful region cannot be separated from the win-win paradigm based on the concept of internationalism, which is rooted in nationalism.

As Bung Karno said in his speech on the founding of Pancasila at the Independence Preparatory Work Investigation Agency (BPUPK) session on June 1, 1945, "Internationalism cannot be prosperous if it is not rooted in the earth of nationalism; on the other hand, nationalism is not prosperous if it does not live in the garden of internationalism."

Therefore, ASEAN nations must listen to each other to build compromise on differing views. ASEAN is navigated with an inclusive regional architecture, which is a core value for ASEAN to become the compass in sailing forward. Through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN has urged all countries to trust each other through concrete cooperation.

In the end, the acceptance of the four Indonesian leadership spirits in ASEAN is evidence that Indonesia's leadership has been accepted, not only in the Southeast Asia region, but also in all countries in the world.

As President Joko Widodo said at the commemoration of the founding of Pancasila on June 1, 2023, in Jakarta, "Pancasila ideology makes Indonesia's leadership accepted and recognized by the world. The G20 presidency, which has been successfully implemented, and the ASEAN chairmanship this year are clear evidence that Pancasila is not only important for Indonesia, but also very relevant for the world.”

Aris Heru Utomo is currently serving as director of study of Pancasila ideology development materials at the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP). (Antaranews)