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May
Vietnam Follows with Keen Interest BRICS Membership Expansion
Written by Ofra Regina Suharsil
VOINews, Jakarta: Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang has said that like many other countries, Vietnam follows with keen interest the expanding membership of BRICS – a group of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
As reported by Vovworld.vn (10/5) at a press conference in Hanoi, Ms. Hang responded to a question about the possibility of Vietnam joining BRICS this year.
According to Pham Thu Hang, Vietnam is a responsible and active member of the international community that follows a foreign policy of multilateralism, diversification, independence, and self-reliance.
She has further said Vietnam is always ready to participate in and contribute actively to global and regional multilateral mechanisms, organizations, and forums.VOI/Vovworld.vn
May
Indonesian Navy and US Marines wrap up Reconex training
Written by Ahmad Faisal
VOI News, Jakarta: Indonesian Navy soldiers from the 1st Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Yontaifib) and the United States Marines on Friday wrapped up a series of reconnaissance and infiltration exercises under the "Reconnaissance Exchange" (Reconex) Joint Exercise 2024.
The two units underwent a series of closing exercises ranging from long-range navigation exercises to complete infiltration exercises (full mission profile) from May 8–10, 2024.
Commander of Marine Troops (Danpasmar) 1, Brigadier General Umar Farouq, emphasized that joint training between Indonesian and United States Marine troops would not stop at the 2024 Reconex.
"There will be many more exercises between the two units," he informed while reviewing the training on Thursday, according to an official statement released on Friday.
As part of a series of full mission profile exercises on Damar Island since Thursday, Amphibious Reconnaissance soldiers from the two countries practiced infiltrating enemy areas, paralyzing targets, freeing prisoners, and treating and evacuating combat victims, followed by exfiltrating, or leaving the enemy area after completing the mission.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (May 8), the soldiers trained in long-range navigation, a cross-surface infiltration technique using rubber boats (seariders).
In a separate official statement issued by the US Embassy in Indonesia, Commander of Alfa Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division of the US Marine Corps, Captain Ethan Hamilton, informed that the Reconex training was a unique opportunity for soldiers from the two countries to build mutual trust.
According to him, the joint exercise aimed to improve the capabilities of the two countries' reconnaissance forces in terms of tactics, techniques, and procedures in a hostile environment.
The Reconex training is a joint exercise that is held routinely by the Indonesian Navy's Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps every one–two years.
This year, the training took place from April 25–May 10. It was attended by 120 soldiers from the 1st Yontaifib of the Indonesian Navy's Marine Corps and 20 soldiers from the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the 1st Marine Division of the US Marine Corps.
Besides Damar Island, the Reconex training was also held in several other locations, namely Marine Combat Training Center (Puslatpur) 6 Antralina, Sukabumi, West Java; the Pondok Cabe Airbase in Tangerang, Banten; and the Indonesian Armed Forces Training Command in Jakarta. (Antara)
May
Indonesian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Discuss Joint Training
Written by Ahmad Faisal
VOI News, Jakarta: TNI AU Staff Deputy Chief, Vice Marshal Andyawan Martono, discussed joint training plans with Japan Air Self-Defense Deputy Chief, Lieutenant General Takuto Ogaswara, alongside the 2024 Air and Space Conference in Canberra, Australia, May 9.
"The two officials discussed the possibility of joint exercise between the two air forces," as quoted from the Indonesian Air Force's official statement on Friday.
The Indonesian Air Force welcomes the Japanese military to conduct joint exercises. This will be beneficial for Indonesia to gain new perspective and combat experience with Japan.
In addition, both nations can share knowledge on war strategies and technology of the main weapons systems, according to the statement.
This cooperation in the military sector will also strengthen the long-standing sound relations between Indonesia and Japan.
Hence, the Indonesian Air Force ranks hope that the joint military air training activities would be completed shortly.
Earlier, Indonesian Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, and his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, discussed several matters during their meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on April 3, including those related to defense cooperation, one of which was continuing cadet exchanges and issues related to the Indo-Pacific region.
Prabowo is optimistic that defense cooperation between the two countries would continue to increase based on the success of earlier programs.
"I previously met with the Japanese minister of defense and asked to send cadets from Indonesia, starting with two people. After that, I asked for another batch, and we have sent four people in total," Prabowo told Kihara at the meeting.
Minister Kihara also conveyed his stance against all unilateral decisions and changes that could increase tensions in the South China Sea.
He believes that Japan and Indonesia, as maritime countries, can work together to ensure the implementation of law in maintaining the Indo-Pacific as a free and open region. (Antara)
May
FIFA Strengthens Cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji
Written by Daniel
VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Embassy in Suva, Fiji, encourages Fijian civil society to understand and encourage the strengthening of cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji in various fields through the establishment of the Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association (FIFA). This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji Dupito D Simamora to Voice of Indonesia, via Zoom connection on Wednesday (8/5/2024). Ambassador Simamora revealed the support of the Fijian people for the formation of FIFA which became a forum for grassroots diplomacy of the Indonesian and Fijian communities.
"Many tribal chiefs, many political figures, even some rectors from universities and big businessmen in Fiji have declared themselves joining this association. So we think this is an important capital, so that now in the future FIFA will become our partner in various efforts that we make at the government level. And of course, later we hope that FIFA can consolidate relations between the two countries, especially after we celebrate 17 June as the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations or diplomacy between Indonesia and Fiji," Ambassador Dupito Simamora said.
Ambassador Simamora further explained that FIFA is intended to build trust between Indonesia and Fiji as well as understanding between the people of the two countries so that they are not easily instigated by NGOs or parties that are less friendly to Indonesia. "We want to encourage Fijian civil society to be able to understand and also support the cooperation that is being built between the two nations. This is one of the important infrastructure buildings of diplomacy in supporting cooperation in various fields, including education, vocational training, agriculture and most importantly for us in addition to understanding, a relationship of mutual respect and trust must be built between the two countries which is also agreed upon or supported by civil society so that they are not easily influenced by some NGOs that may be less friendly to Indonesia," Ambassador Simamora explained.
As quoted from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry website (kemlu.go.id), Indonesia has established diplomatic relations with Fiji since 1974, and has an embassy in Suva City which was established in 2002. The Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association was inaugurated by the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on 26 March 2024 in Suva.
May
Three Indonesia-Fiji's Similarities You Should Know
Written by Daniel
VOInews, Jakarta: Fiji shared many similarities with Indonesia. Quoting an interview with the Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito D. Simamora on the Voice of Indonesia's Ranah Diplomasi programme on Wednesday (8/5/2024) there are at least three similarities between Indonesia and Fiji.
First, according to Ambassador Simamora, like Indonesia, Fiji is also an archipelago republic. "Fiji is an archipelago in the southern Pacific with about 300 islands but the area is about almost four times the island of Bali, so all the islands in Fiji are about four times the size of the island of Bali," Ambassador Simamora said. Ambassador Simamora added that Indonesia is actually also part of the Pacific archipelago which is glued together by the Melanesian race of some Indonesian tribes with Pacific countries. Indonesia is an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group as well as a dialogue partner of the Pacific Island Forum along with Fiji.
Like Indonesia, according to Ambassador Simamora, Fiji is a country that lives with ethnic and religious diversity. "Maybe it can be said to be the only country that is multi-ethnic and multi-religious because here in addition to the Melanesian group which is the indigenous population of around 65 percent, there is also a fairly large portion of indo-fijians or Fijians of Indian descent who were brought here to work on plantations, especially sugar cane plantations and that is also one of the characteristics of Fiji is that besides being multi-ethnic it is also multi-religious, or multi-religious. The largest is Christianity followed by Hinduism and then Islam and of course other religions. So if in other Pacific countries it can almost be said to be homogeneous although there are always minorities but here is the only heterogeneous country which may also be a kind of mini Indonesia but in a different composition, "continued Ambassador Simamora.
The third similarity, according to Ambassador Simamora, is that the Fijian people are generally sports lovers. If Indonesians are generally happy with football and badminton, while Fijians like rugby. "So I think there are similarities with Indonesia. But the pride of Fijians is rugby, so it is not surprising that in 2020 this country also won a gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo," concluded the Ambassador who began serving since August 2023.
May
VOInews, Jakarta: Eid Jalaa' (Evaluation Day), which falls every 17 April, is a big day for Syrians that symbolises glory and freedom. This was stated by Syrian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulmonem Annan in a special interview aired on 2 May 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia terrestrial radio channel. As is known, Eid Jalaa' marks the expulsion of the French army from the land of independent Syria on 17 April 1946.
"Indeed, the day of evacuation or independence day is an important day in which various tribes, nations, and cultures around the world gather. And this day is a great day that for Syrians symbolises glory and freedom, because it is impossible for citizens or a nation to feel honour and freedom if they are denied their independence or are under occupation," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan said.
According to Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan, Eid Jalaa' is a moment for the people to celebrate Syria's glorious history of their collective struggle for independence. "Syrians on 17 April every year celebrate the greatness of their past history, despite the mosaic and diversity that distinguishes them, they are united, making sacrifices up to blood for the independence of their country from French colonialists," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan continued.
Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan, who began serving since February 2023 in Indonesia, also mentioned the Palestinian struggle and efforts to realise peace in the region. "It is impossible for peace to be realised in the world, including in the Middle East in particular without a comprehensive and just peace. When I say comprehensive, we mean that peace must include the core conflict in the Middle East, namely the Palestinian conflict. It is impossible for Arab countries to reach a lasting and durable peace agreement as long as the Palestinian people have not gained their independence, dignity and freedom," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan concluded.
May
Indonesia and Syria Shared the Same Political 'Ark'
Written by Daniel
VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia and Syria share the same vision for peace in the Middle East. This was conveyed by Syrian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulmonem Annan in a special interview titled "The Brotherly Relationship between Indonesia and Syria" which aired on 2 May 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia broadcast channel. "We believe that Syria is in the same boat with Indonesia in terms of realising peace in the Middle East in terms of respect for international rules, UN resolutions and UNSC resolutions, respect for the sovereignty of nations to determine their direction of travel. Syria is the 23rd or 25th country, we don't mention the 25th or 27th, to pioneer the famous Bandung Conference in 1955 which mandated the right of every nation to determine its direction of travel," Ambassador Abdulmon'em Annan said.
The similarity of views can be seen in the principles and approaches taken by Indonesia and Syria in realising peace in Palestine. "I believe that when I look at Indonesia's politics in the face of what is happening in Palestine, I believe that Indonesia's politics are the closest to Syria's attitudes and politics. The coordination between us is established in various forums and organisations," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan continued. Ambassador Annan explained that Syria and Indonesia continue to coordinate in the General Assembly, UN Security Council, Human Rights Council in Geneva, and the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Organisation in Hague.
Among the common values that Indonesia and Syria share, according to Ambassador Annan, are justice, respect for the principles of international rules and the values of pluralism. "We find today the reversal of democratic values, liberalism and general freedom that the West has been singing for decades, maybe even centuries. So peace will not be stable, as affirmed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as long as it is not based on justice, on international rules and respect for the principles of international rules, and respect for pluralism," Ambassador Annan told Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta (30/4/2024).
May
VOInews, Jakarta: A French historian and archaeologist said that every man has two nationalities, his own and Syria, because Syria is the cradle of civilisation. This was conveyed by the Syrian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdulmonem Annan, during a special interview in Arabic that aired on the Voice of Indonesia channel on Thursday (2/5/2024). "Indeed, there is a French archaeologist and historian who said that every citizen in this world has two homelands: the country where he comes from and Syria. Because as you said, Syria is the cradle of civilisation," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan told Voice of Indonesia.
Syria, Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan said, is the first place where the alphabet and written peace documents were known in the history of human civilisation. "Syria is the first place where the alphabet was invented in history. Syria is home to the oldest olive tree ever found. Syria was the first country to introduce written peace treaties. Syria is the home of the Ugarit kingdom, the Marie kingdom that can be traced 3 millennia BC," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan continued.
Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan conveyed the rich history of Syria which is full of tolerance. "Tolerance lives with Christians in Syria today, tolerance with priests in Syria. The language of Christ is spoken in the north of Syria in a city called Ma'loula, called Arami or Suryani. The Syrian people, when they look back at their history, how they have tolerated each other for thousands of years, this really unites them. We as Syrians are proud of this history," Ambassador Annan explained.
The archaeological heritage that exists in Syria to this day, according to Ambassador Annan, can give us a feeling of unity as human beings. "Who goes to Syria today and sees how archaeological remains exist he will feel that these relics belong to humanity, before being attributed to religion and culture. The succession of cultures left various traces, you can see the largest amphitheatre in the world in comparison to archaeological traces, it was built in the Byzantine Roman Era. So was the Umawi Mosque during the Umayyad Dynasty. There was an ancient church before the advent of Islam, there is an inclusive heritage of human civilisation that unites us all. As for each person having various religious cultural identities, it does not erase the common fundamental heritage that we are born and grow with that spirit," Ambassador Abdulmonem Annan concluded.
May
Lesson Learnt from Brasilia Development for Nusantara City
Written by Daniel
KBRN, Brasilia: The development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) can learn from Brazil's experience of moving the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia. Brazil has a long experience of moving the capital from Salvador to Rio de Jenairo until the transfer of the capital city of Brasilia in 1960. The city of Brasilia is the third capital of Brazil whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil, Edi Yusup in an interview with the Ranah Diplomasi Program which aired on 30 April 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia radio channel entitled IKN-Brazilia Collaboration in the Context of Friendship between Indonesia and Brazil.
According to Ambassador Edi Yusup, Brasilia is Brazil's third capital city whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. Citing the Consilience Journal, Brazil's Capital Relocation Act was approved by congress in 1891. The plan to move the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia was only realised 69 years later. "This is actually the second capital move, the first capital was in Salvador. From Salvador moved to Rio and then to Brasilia. And the process or plan to move the capital has actually been quite long, from the 1800s actually. It was only realised in 1960," explained the Ambassador who previously served as Director of East Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The construction of the capital city of Brasilia, which is located in the middle of Brazil, as Ambassador Edi Yusup explained, aims to equalise development more ideally. "Indeed, the first goal of moving the capital city is to develop equitable development and also build a modern city. In addition, the city of Brasilia is located in the middle so that the distribution of development is expected to be better than if the capital was in Rio de Janeiro," Ambassador Edi Yusup continued. (Daniel)
May
VOInews, Jakarta: The development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) can learn from Brazil's experience of capital transfer from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia. Brazil has a long experience of moving the capital from Salvador to Rio de Jenairo until it was relocated to current capital of Brasilia in 1960. The city of Brasilia is the third capital of Brazil whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. This was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil, Edi Yusup in an interview with the Ranah Diplomasi Program which aired on 30 April 2024 on the Voice of Indonesia radio channel entitled IKN-Brazilia Collaboration in the Context of Friendship between Indonesia and Brazil.
According to Ambassador Edi Yusup, Brasilia is Brazil's third capital city whose construction has been planned since the early 19th century. Citing the Consilience Journal, Brazil's Capital Relocation Act was approved by the Congress in 1891. The plan to move the capital from Rio de Jenairo to Brasilia was only realised 69 years later. "This is actually the second capital move, the first capital was in Salvador. From Salvador moved to Rio and then to Brasilia. And the process or plan to move the capital has actually been quite long, from the 1800s actually. It was only realised in 1960," explained the Ambassador who previously served as Director of East Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The construction of the capital city of Brasilia, which is located in the middle of Brazil, as Ambassador Edi Yusup explained, aims to equalise development more ideally. "Indeed, the first goal of moving the capital city is to develop equitable development and also build a modern city. In addition, the city of Brasilia is located in the middle so that the distribution of development is expected to be better than if the capital was in Rio de Janeiro," Ambassador Edi Yusup continued. (Daniel)