Coordinating Minister Wants Ambassadors To Highlight Maritime Issues

Jakarta, Feb 2 (Antara) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Susilo has expressed hope that Indonesian ambassadors and consulate generals will highlight the country's concerns about maritime issues. According to Indroyono, Indonesia's representatives abroad should raise concerns about the completion of the delimitation of seas, the exclusive economic zone boundary, and the continental shelf boundary that Indonesia shares with its 10 neighboring countries. "We will deploy 12 research and survey ships in order to gather data on hydro-oceanography, marine biology, and geology, which will be used for the negotiation of the delimitation of our maritime boundary," Indroyono Susilo told the ambassadors and consulate generals at a meeting here on Monday. The Maritime Coordinating Minister emphasized he will cooperate with Russia for the procurement of amphibious aircraft to ensure the security of seas. In addition, Indonesia will establish security cooperation with the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark. He has also announced the development of 24 new ports in order to realize the sea toll, including five deep sea ports in Kuala Tanjung: Sumatera Utara, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, and Sorong. Indroyono has urged the country's ambassadors and heads of its representations abroad to invite investors for the construction of a shipyard in Kuala Tanjung and for the development of Special Economic Zones in Sorong. He further stated that the French are interested in the development of a Marine Techno-Park in Penajam, North Paser, East Kalimantan. The Maritime Coordinating Minister also informed ambassadors about Indonesia's participation in the World Expo Milan from May to October 2015 in Italy, including sending Navy warships carrying cadets from the Naval Academy, sail high school, and fishery high school. On the occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi noted that a working meeting on "Diplomacy for the People: Upholding the State's presence in foreign policy" that aims to harmonize the measures and strategies of the diplomacy and foreign policy of Indonesia, will be held soon. According to Retno, debriefing and interactions will be carried out by ministers, officials, and other stakeholders to Indonesian representatives abroad. "Diplomats are expected to speak out and fight for the interests of Indonesia," she added.