VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal at the Bosphorus Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey, March 8-9, 2021 promoted the digital economy which can be one of the solutions from the global economic stagnation due to Covid-19 outbreak. In a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara on Tuesday (9/3), he stated that the digital economy is cross-border and it is not blocked by distance and sector. Quoting Oxford Economic data, Ambassador Iqbal also explained that the world's digital economy value in 2016 was US$ 11 trillion dollars or equivalent Rp158,640 trillion. By 2025, it will be US $ 23 trillion dollars or about Rp.331,703 trillion. In 2021, the value of Indonesia's digital economy is estimated to reach US$ 40 billion dollars or about Rp.676.9 trillion. While in Turkey, the value of the digital economy is approaching US$ 15 billion and it is targeted to reach US$ 30 billion or about Rp.432.7 trillion by 2023.

The Bosphorus Summit is a strategic forum in the Balkan region which is held in Istanbul, Turkey annually. The forum was attended by chief executive officials, policy makers, politicians, academicians, senior journalists, as well as social activists and NGOs from countries in the Balkan region. The 11th edition of the  Bosphorus Summit is the first international scale strategic forum  held in Turkey since the outbreak of Covid-19 occurred last year. The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara becomes a strategic partner at  Bhosporus Summit this year.

Indonesian feminist writer Julia Suryakusuma (right) receives the Order of the Crown from Belgian Ambassador to Indonesia Stéphane de Loecker during a ceremony at the ambassador’s residence in Jakarta on March 10, 2021.(Courtesy of/Facebook/Embassy of Belgium in Jakarta)


The Belgian government awarded the "Order of the Crown" to writer, columnist and female activist, Julia Suryakusuma for her contributions to social movements, particularly around issues of gender equality, democracy and human rights. Belgian Ambassador to Indonesia, Stephane De Loecker, in the award ceremony held from Jakarta, explained that the Belgian Royal Palace acknowledged Julia Suryakusuma's achievements and involvement in processes related to human rights.

Ambassador De Loecker expressed his appreciation for Julia's writing, which he said, was a combination of her own growth experiences with harmonious observation skills, as well as analysis from political and social perspectives.

Julia Suryakusuma is a writer, columnist, and woman activist known for her works, including Julia's Jihad and Ibuisme Negara, which describes state-based gender analysis, and various columns as well as written contributions that are often featured in one of the English language media in Indonesia. The Belgian government considers Julia as an intellectual figure who fights for gender equality, democracy and human rights, which are becoming increasingly important in a time when intolerance is increasing and the space for democracy is considered to be narrowing.

The "Order of the Crown" award is one of three Belgian National Awards, which began to be awarded in the late 18th century. The award is given to those who have contributed in the artistic, scientific, and literary aspects. In addition, the 'Order of the Crown' award is also given to those who have promoted the country's commercial and industrial interests, or who have served the country, as explained on the official website of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The award was presented by Ambassador Stephane De Loecker, representing King Philippe, at the Ambassador's official residence in Jakarta.

The UN Security Council condemned the violence against Myanmar protesters and called on the military to exercise restraint. Even so, in the draft statement of its position, the UN did not declare the takeover of power by the military as a coup. It is feared that this will trigger rejection from a number of countries close to Myanmar, such as China, Russia, India and Vietnam. The United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgenerin a closed meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday (5/3) said that the unity and firm stance of the UN Security Council are important to push for an end to violence and for the restoration of Myanmar's democratic institutions.

The UN Security Council in a statement  cited by Reuters on Thursday (11/3) condemned violence against peaceful protesters, who also consisted of women, youth and even children. The Myanmar military was asked to exercise restraint and monitor the situation intensively. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hopes that the Security Council's statement can put pressure on the military to release the prisoners and respect the election results.

In its statement, the UN Security Council also expressed deep concern over restrictions on medical personnel, civil society, union members, journalists or media workers, and called for the immediate release of all people who were arbitrarily arrested.

Reportedly, more than 60 people were killed and around 1,800 have been arrested. The Myanmar military has also been urged to release political figures detained in the February 1 coup, including Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In addition, the Security Council also emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic systems and processes as well as constitutional governance, preventing violence and respecting human rights.

This UN Security Council statement is the second after the first statement expressing concern about the situation in Myanmar on February 1.

Meanwhile, China's Ambassador to the United Nations -Zhang Jun conveyed the importance for members of the Security Council to speak in one voice. According to him, now it is time for dialogue to loosen tensions and provide a path for diplomacy.

It seems that the UN Security Council's condemnation has had little impact on the Myanmar military. Many parties hope that the UN Security Council can take a more assertive and serious stance for the realization of peace in the country.

Indonesia welcomes the result of Switzerland's referendum on Indonesia-European Free Trade Association Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IE-CEPA). Some 51.6 percent of Swiss supported the implementation of IE-CEPA and agreed to ratify the trade agreement in a referendum on Sunday (7/3).

IE-CEPA is a comprehensive economic partnership between Indonesia and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries, such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The agreement was signed in 2018 after going through 15 negotiations.

After the signing, each country needs to ratify the agreement. Two countries had finished the ratification namely Norway and Iceland.

Previously, the ratification in Switzerland faced rejection in form of a petition from a Swiss NGOs because Indonesian palm oil commodity was accused of harming the environment. According to the Swiss law, the agreement ratification needed public agreement through a referendum.

IE-CEPA includes trade of goods, services, investment as well as capacity building so that Indonesian products can gain market access in form of tariff exemption and reduction concession. Therefore, Indonesian products will be more competitive in EFTA markets.

Indonesia will receive the exemption of 7,042 tariff posts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 6,388 in Norway, and 8,100 in Iceland. Indonesia's total export to EFTA in 2020 was 3.4 billion USD with US$1.6 billion surplus for the country.

Responding to the Swiss referendum, Indonesian Trade Minister, Muhammad Lutfi in a statement on Monday (8/3) stated that his sdie is ready to cooperate in trade and investment under IE-CEPA. The agreement recognizes the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and mutual benefits for Indonesia's top products, the palm oil and its derivatives.

Minister Lutfi also emphasized that the referendum has a special meaning for the strive of Indonesia and Switzerland in ensuring an open and just trade that become the pillar in the trade agreement. He also remarked that Switzerland is an important trade and economic partner for Indonesia and vice-versa. Thereby, both countries' trade will increase. The minister also explained that with the IE-CEPA ratification by Switzerland, Indonesia will quicken the ratification at the parliament so that it can be implemented soon.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Airlangga Hartarto said, the negative campaign against palm oil commodities lacked support from Swiss' public during the IE-CEPA ratification. He also remarked that therefore the Swiss referendum showed international recognition for Indonesia's consistency and commitment in implementing sustainable development principles.