"Indonesia`s foreign policy must be down-to-earth and must not keep distance from the people`s interests. Therefore, the foreign ministry will implement diplomacy for the people," Retno said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Foreign Ministry is determined to implement pro-people diplomacy, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated here on Wednesday.

"Indonesias foreign policy must be down-to-earth and must not keep distance from the peoples interests. Therefore, the foreign ministry will implement diplomacy for the people," Retno said at her first press conference since her inauguration as foreign minister on Monday.

Retno said Indonesian diplomats and representatives abroad must carry out firm and dignified diplomacy while creating opportunities to serve the interests of the Indonesian people.

"In implementing our foreign policy, we will adopt firm and dignified diplomacy. Diplomacy must be able to solve differences and create opportunities to serve the interests of the Indonesian state and people," she noted.

Indonesian diplomats abroad must adopt down-to-earth approaches to lobbying and building networks to serve the interests of the Indonesian people, including expanding the market for Indonesian products and promoting Indonesian tourism, she remarked.

"Hopefully, there will be budget. But we have been accustomed to working with available resources. Diplomats are fighters. We can lobby somebody else by building links. We must take optimum advantage of what is available," she added.

Retno revealed the foreign ministrys steps to implement the vision, mission and programs of the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla.

One of the steps is related to political sovereignty, which is one of the three pillars called Trisakti. The other two pillars are economic independence and national character.

Retno was inaugurated as foreign minister on Monday, replacing Marty Natalegawa. She is the first Indonesian woman to hold the post of foreign minister.

Retno was formerly Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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