VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged ASEAN and New Zealand to strengthen cooperation in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, including the Pacific region. 

The statement was made by Foreign Minister Retno during the ASEAN - New Zealand Post Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 56 ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, on Thursday (13/7) in Jakarta.

In the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno welcomed the signing of the ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) amendment.

Regarding stability in the Pacific, Foreign Minister Retno stated that the stability of the Pacific region is an integral part of stability in the Indo-Pacific. She stated that ASEAN must assist the Pacific countries in facing various development challenges, including climate change and maritime issues.

Therefore, ASEAN and New Zealand must strengthen cooperation to uphold strategic trust in the region and uphold international law, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We hope that New Zealand will continue to support the centrality of ASEAN in shaping the regional order and promoting collaboration in the Pacific," Foreign Minister Retno said.

"We must ensure concrete cooperation that is in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)," she added.

Minister Retno also expects New Zealand to play a role in bridging ASEAN cooperation in the Pacific, including on the plan for cooperation between the secretariats of ASEAN and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

During the meeting, ASEAN countries emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in the fields of economy, maritime affairs, and marine issues, fulfilling commitments to the Paris Agreement, counter-terrorism cooperation, and combating human trafficking. They also expect New Zealand to support ASEAN's common position on the South China Sea.

The ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific was adopted by the ASEAN-New Zealand Foreign Ministers in the meeting, highlighting the importance of inclusive collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of strengthening food security cooperation between ASEAN countries and India. According to her, the population growth of ASEAN and India is highly dependent on food security.

"Therefore, we must encourage investment to ensure food availability, access and affordability in times of crisis," she said at the opening of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Meeting (PMC) with India, in Jakarta, Thursday (13/7).

According to Retno, ASEAN-India cooperation should focus on establishing sustainable food supply chains through barrier-free trade, dialogue, and transparent government policies.

"We also encourage long-term collaboration in agricultural technology and research systems to increase local food production while benefiting small-scale farmers," Retno said.

Another thing Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized was creating peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

"We appreciate India's continued support to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and I invite India to take part in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum, an avenue for public-private dialogue to generate tangible cooperation," she said.

Retno said all parties have the responsibility to maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. According to her, India and ASEAN can be part of this effort including from mini-lateral cooperation groups.

"Against this backdrop, ASEAN will engage the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in the East Asia Summit (EAS) to build a more inclusive regional architecture," she said. (VOI/Andy) 

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of strengthening food security cooperation between ASEAN countries and India. According to her, the population growth of ASEAN and India is highly dependent on food security.

"Therefore, we must encourage investment to ensure food availability, access and affordability in times of crisis," she said at the opening of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Meeting (PMC) with India, in Jakarta, Thursday (13/7).

According to Retno, ASEAN-India cooperation should focus on establishing sustainable food supply chains through barrier-free trade, dialogue, and transparent government policies.

"We also encourage long-term collaboration in agricultural technology and research systems to increase local food production while benefiting small-scale farmers," Retno said.

Another thing Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized was creating peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

"We appreciate India's continued support to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and I invite India to take part in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum, an avenue for public-private dialogue to generate tangible cooperation," she said.

Retno said all parties have the responsibility to maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. According to her, India and ASEAN can be part of this effort including from mini-lateral cooperation groups.

"Against this backdrop, ASEAN will engage the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in the East Asia Summit (EAS) to build a more inclusive regional architecture," she said. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia strongly condemns the burning of the Qur'an that occurred in several countries including Sweden. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the action was a provocative act that was very insulting to Muslims around the world.

"Mr. President, Indonesia strongly condemns the burning of the Qur'an in several countries, including Sweden. This provocation is very insulting to Muslims around the world," Foreign Minister Retno said in a video submitted to the UN Human Rights Council Session, Wednesday (12/7).

Retno said that this action was not a form of freedom of expression. According to her, the burning of the Quran is an act of Islamophobia and hatred towards Islam as a religion of peace.

"So stop abusing freedom of expression," she said.

Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that countries are obliged to prohibit the advocacy of religious hatred through law. Therefore, according to Retno, Indonesia urges the UN Human Rights Council and other mandate holders to give a strong response to this act of burning the Qur'an.

"Freedom of expression does not mean discriminating and hurting others," Retno said.

The UN Human Rights Council held an emergency session on Tuesday (11/7), related to the burning of the Qur'an in Sweden. The session was held at the proposal of Pakistan, representing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which asked countries to condemn attacks targeting the Qur'an.

After representatives of a number of countries delivered speeches, the UN Human Rights Council session resumed on Wednesday (12/7) to vote on a resolution condemning the burning of the Qur'an. Of the 47 votes cast, 28 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 7 abstained and 12 countries voted against.

Last month, a man named Salwan Momika, burned a copy of the Qur'an in front of a mosque in Stockholm, Sweden. This provocative act was carried out to coincide with Eid al-Adha and under police protection.

The act sparked widespread condemnation from the Islamic world, including Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Senegal and Mauritania. (VOI/Andy)