Indonesia's International Diplomacy to Focus on Public Interest

Jakarta, Feb 2 (Antara) - Indonesia's international diplomacy in the next five years focuses on upholding the public's interests and welfare, stated Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi. The foreign affairs ministry applied down-to-earth diplomacy that prioritizes the public interest, is beneficial for the people, and is connected with the needs of the public, Minister Marsudi stated during the foreign affairs ministry's leadership working meeting, which was officially opened by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo here, Monday. In future, there should be no gaps in Indonesian diplomacy with regard to national interests. The results of the country's overseas diplomacy must benefit the Indonesian people, she added. "The results of the Indonesian diplomats' work must benefit the Indonesian people and nation. In line with the Constitution, Indonesia's diplomacy must be able to contribute to world peace and welfare," he noted. The country's diplomacy must be able to catch up with the current global situation, which is dynamic and full of challenges, both in the economic field and stability aspect, the minister pointed out. "In facing those challenges, Indonesia's diplomacy will never give up. Diplomats are trained to turn difficult situations to be better. Diplomats are trained to find an agreement out of various differences," she stated. The working meeting is being held on February 2-5, 2015, and attended by 132 Indonesian heads of representatives, ambassadors, consul generals, and charge d'affaires. The meeting is themed, "Diplomacy for the People: Strengthening the Presence of the State in Foreign Politics." In the meantime, Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, in his opening remarks, has urged Indonesian envoys to have sharp instincts to identify the economic potentials in their host countries. "When I was Jakarta's governor for two years, and now, the president for the last three months, I received foreign ambassadors and nearly 90 percent of them spoke about economic issues," Jokowi stated. Indonesian ambassadors must lay greater emphasis on economic diplomacy, he added.