PRESIDENT: NO OTHER COUNTRY IS RI'S ENEMY

Jakarta, Aug 14 (ANTARA) - There is no country in the world that Indonesia regards as an enemy and, conversely, there is no country that considers Indonesia its enemy, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

The president made the statement in his state-of-the nation address on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of national independence at a House of Representatives plenary session here on Friday.

"It is important to be aware that today Indonesia is facing a new and unique strategic environment and for the first time, there is no country that we regard as an enemy and, there is no country in the world that considers Indonesia as its enemy," the president said.

He said the strategic environment has given a very ample opportunity to Indonesia's independent and active diplomacy to gain even greater prominence.

"In this 21st century, we must indeed be more observant in watching the international world, not as a scary thing or a threat, but as an opportunity, an asset, a part of the strength and superiority of the nation," he said.

The president said that nowadays Indonesia can establish relationship with any parties to serve the national interest, whether it is the East, West, North, or South.

"We can also freely adopt a million friends and zero enemy in diplomacy, because logically, the more countries we have as close friends, the more secure and prosperous the Indonesian nation will be. These are definitely undertaken on the basis of self-reliance, sovereignty, equity, and mutually beneficial principles," he said.

According to the president, Indonesia at present occupies a different position in the international arena, and therefore the world today can see Indonesia as a role model, whether as the 3rd biggest democratic country in the world, as a bridge between Islam and the West, as the biggest economy in South-East Asia, as a successful country in its transformation, as well as a country that practices freedom, pluralism and tolerance.

"It is not surprising if there is an increasing number of countries in the world that are willing to establish friendship and cooperation with Indonesia, as we are also willing to establish friendship with them," the president said.

He said Indonesia would always participate in creating a more secure and peaceful world order.

Therefore, he added that Indonesia was actively pioneering the efforts and encouraging the realization of an ASEAN community, and would implement the ASEAN Charter that would transform ASEAN and strengthen the stability in South-East Asia.

"Indonesia will also work hard to establish a Strategic Partnership with a number of friendly countries, among others Australia, South Africa, Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Russia," the president said.