Our foreign policy is always carefully considered. No decisions are just made (without careful consideration)Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated that Indonesia continues to study the possibility of joining the trade alliance BRICS and is weighing the benefits that the country will derive from the membership.
BRICS is an economic alliance consisting of five developing countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. On January 1, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, and Ethiopia joined the bloc, taking the total number of members to 10.
Marsudi stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday that while several developing countries expressed their keenness to join BRICS, Indonesia would not rush to make a decision.
"Our foreign policy is always carefully considered. No decisions are just made (without careful consideration). Therefore, for now, Indonesia is still studying the benefits that can be gained from joining BRICS," she remarked.
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Marsudi affirmed that in principle, Indonesia opens cooperation opportunities with all parties as long as the cooperation is mutually beneficial.
She remarked that Indonesia also has good relations with the member countries of BRICS. Indonesia even recorded the largest trade value with one of the grouping's members, namely China.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the total value of trade between Indonesia and China during the period from January to October 2023 reached US$104.84 billion.
"Thus, even though we have not joined BRICS, our relations with each (member) country are maintained very well," Marsudi remarked.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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