BDF Broadens Its Geographic Scope: FM

Nusa Dua, Bali, 8/11 (Antara) - Indonesia`s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marty Natalegawa, said the Bali Democracy Forum had broadened its geographic scope and gained significant praise from the international world. "In a regional framework, the Bali Democracy Forum has become more recognized and understood by the international community. It is now not only attended by countries of the Asia Pacific region, but also from Europe, Africa and Central Asia," Minister Marty Natalegawa said during a press conference after the BDF VI closing in Nusa Dua, Bali, Friday. BDF has also become an event that allows countries with different political and democratic development to gather and discuss their insights and experience, Natalegawa said. "And there are no efforts in BDF to assume one country is superior to the others," he said. One of the practical benefits of BDF was the participation of Fiji and Madagascar, two countries that have been in a political transition. Their participation had been motivating for other countries to continue with their own democratic processes, Natalegawa said. Meanwhile, former Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda, who is also one of the creators of BDF, said the forum has had a worldwide impact. "Issues about democracy had not been spoken of much in the past. But now, many countries have begun participating in the Bali Democracy Forum," Wirajuda said. The first BDF was only attended by 32 countries. Yet, this year�s sixth forum had some 86 six countries in attendance. "It started as a concept and idea, but BDF now has become a sustainable event," Wirajuda said. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Frans Timmermans said that all governments around the world are benefited when democracy is strengthened. "And now we can learn a lot from the experience here in this region," Timmermans said. Democracy was something that needed to be constantly renewed, Timmermans noted. "It`s because people change, conditions change and democracy needs to adapt to that," Timmermans said. BDF VI`s theme for this year is "Consolidating Democracy in a Pluralistic Society." The forum was opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Nusa Dua on Thursday, followed by remarks from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam and Timor Leste`s PM Xanana Gusmao. Representatives from 81 countries and three international organizations are taking part in the forum, held from Nov. 7 to 8. There are two sub-themes that were discussed during BDF VI: the need for free and fair general elections and methods to build and strengthen democratic institutions, such as the Constitutional Court and the General Elections Commission in each country.