Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed that Indonesia pursues a free and active foreign policy by building friendly relations and cooperation with various countries.
“Indonesia’s traditional stance and our view of international relations are that we have always wanted to be free and active. We have been non-aligned from the beginning; we do not want to join any bloc,” Prabowo said in the President Prabowo Answers program, as quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The president stressed that Indonesia seeks to maintain good relations with various countries.
“So, on the one hand, it can be said that we want to be friends with everyone,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo explained that the principle serves as the basis for Indonesia’s decision not to align itself with any particular power bloc while maintaining communication with countries around the world.
He said the principle was also one of the reasons he accepted invitations from various countries, including those in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Prabowo stressed that his visits to various countries did not indicate that Indonesia was taking sides with any particular power. According to him, Indonesia’s participation in various international forums is part of efforts to maintain good relations with countries that hold important positions in the international arena.
“Russia is among the countries that most often, or relatively often, invite the Indonesian president. It would not be good if we were invited and did not go,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo also said he frequently visits France, the United Kingdom, and Türkiye, as well as Arab countries such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, in addition to China and Japan.
He emphasized the importance of Indonesia maintaining communication with Russia because of the country’s strategic position in international relations, including its status as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“Especially when we are invited by a key country in the world. After all, Russia is a member of the Security Council. In terms of territory, Russia is the largest country in the world. It also has enormous natural resources. And traditionally, our relations with Russia have been good. So, I think this is quite normal,” Prabowo said.
He added that the same principle applies when Indonesia receives invitations from the United States and other countries.
According to Prabowo, accepting invitations from friendly countries is part of diplomacy aimed at maintaining communication and good relations.
“If I am invited to America, I will go. That’s how it is. So, that’s the point,” Prabowo said.
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Translator: Aditya, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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