Indonesia has experience of robust economic and trade cooperation with Ukraine
We are talking about the development of further cooperation between Indonesia and Ukraine, the expansion of humanitarian programs and opportunities for business communication with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia in Ukraine, Mr. Arif Muhammed Basalamah.
- Ambassador, please tell us about Indonesia’s vision and mission to expand cooperation with Ukraine, considering the situation that occurred?
Indonesia has a vision of upholding respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basic principle of relations between countries, in accordance with the principles of the UN charter and international law. Indonesia has a mission to optimise opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Ukraine, strengthen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and socio-cultural fields, and follow up on the bilateral agreements reached by the two countries.
Indonesia’s position on the situation in Ukraine has always been consistent. We have to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basic principle of relations between countries, in accordance with the principles of the UN charter and international law. We also respect Ukraine’s sovereignty in relation to the Crimea issue and do not accept territorial divisions that violate the integrity of a country. The military action against Ukraine is unacceptable, because it seriously endangers the safety of the people and threatens the peace and stability of the region and the world.
Indonesia urges the UN Security Council to take concrete steps to prevent the situation from worsening. Indonesia urges for an end to situations of tension and hostility, and prioritises a peaceful political settlement through dialogue and diplomacy. Indonesia’s priority in its diplomacy is to create a conducive situation, support negotiations between the parties in the conflict, and encourage safe passage guarantees for humanitarian response, and encouraging all parties to prioritise the safety of civilians.
Indonesia has supported several resolutions on Ukraine at the United Nations.
- UN General Assembly resolution “Aggression against Ukraine” (A/RES/ES-11/1; adopted 2 March 2022). Indonesia is one of the co-sponsors of this Resolution. Of a total of 181 countries attending the UN General Assembly Emergency Session and voting, the Resolution received approval from 141 countries including Indonesia, five countries rejected it, and 35 countries abstained. The resolution stated, among other things: (i) Condemned and urged an immediate end to Russia's "special military operation" against Ukraine which was deemed to have violated the UN Charter; (ii) Encouraging Russia and Ukraine to immediately resolve the conflict peacefully through dialogue, negotiation and mediation; (iii) Urge safe pathways for the handling of humanitarian responses.
- UN General Assembly resolution "Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine" (A/RES/ES-11/2; adopted 24 March 2022). Indonesia voted in favour of this Resolution. Of the 183 countries present, 140 voted in favour, five against, and 38 abstained. Symbolically, the date of ratification of this Resolution indicates one month of Russia's aggression in Ukraine. UN GA Resolution of 24 March 2022 urges the importance of guaranteeing access to humanity and protection of civilians, stopping violence, and peaceful settlement.
- UN General Assembly Resolution' “UN Charter principles underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine". the 11th Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the UN General Assembly was convened in New York on February 23, 2023. Indonesia's support was given due to the essence and spirit of the resolution, which upholds the UN Charter and international law principles, including peaceful conflict resolution, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
In 2022, Indonesia’s economy grew by 5,31 percent (year-on-year/yoy) in 2022, according to the Statistics Indonesia (BPS). The growth of the country’s domestic economy is contributed by the 5,01 % increase of the growth in the fourth quarter of 2022. Although Indonesia’s economy recorded a negative growth during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, yet it gradually showed resilience to recover faster by implementing various policies and constructive strategies adopted by the Government including the COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery program as key policies in determining a success in driving the national economy. The main contributor to the GDP growth (Gross Domestic Product) is the consumption sector. This sector grew by 4,48 % yoy. Meanwhile, the investment sector and gross fixed capital investment (PMTB) grew by 3,33 %, and household consumption grew by 5.7%.
In terms of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Ukraine, Indonesia has been experienced robust economic and trade cooperation between countries during the past 5 years. Indonesia remained the biggest trade partners of Ukraine in the Southeast Asia region and Ukraine as the third largest trading partner in Eastern Europe. Indonesia is Ukraine’s important partner in Southeast Asia and Ukraine could become a gateway for Indonesian investors into the European market. Both countries cherished impressive bilateral trade turnover in 2021 amounted to USD 1,24 billion or increased by 22% compared to 2020. Unfortunately, in 2022 the volume of bilateral trade amounted to USD 320 million and decreased by 74% compared to 2021. The main products that Indonesia exported to Ukraine were palm oil, margarine, and coffee.
In terms of grain export from Ukraine, Indonesia is deeply concerned by the challenges to global food security exacerbated by current conflicts and tensions. President Joko Widodo personally conveyed this concern to President Zelenskyy in Kyiv in June 2022 and invited all parties to ensure security for Ukraine’s food export considering the country’s production is vital for the global supply chain.
Indonesia therefore commits to taking urgent actions to save lives, prevent hunger and malnutrition, particularly to address the vulnerabilities of developing countries, and call for an accelerated transformation towards sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems and supply chains.
Furthermore, in the next few weeks, various Exhibition and Business Forum will be held in Indonesia. We invite businessmen from Ukraine to take part in Indonesia Europe Business Forum 2023 (Jakarta, 17 – 18 October 2023), 38th Trade Expo Indonesia 2023 (Tangerang, 18 – 22 October 2023) and Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival & Halal Expo Indonesia 2023 (Jakarta, 25 – 29 October 2023).
- One of the founders of ACEAH is Indonesia. What is immediate ASEAN's future work plans in the Asian region? How strong is ASEAN's economic influence on other regions of the planet? Prospects for possible cooperation with Ukraine?
Indonesia has started its responsibility as Chair of ASEAN in 2023. The handover of chairmanship was received by Indonesia from Cambodia at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit, November 2022. Previously Indonesia had served as chairman of ASEAN in 1976, 1996, 2003 and 2011.
ASEAN 2023 Carries the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, Indonesia together with other ASEAN member countries will ensure that ASEAN remains and is increasingly relevant to the world. ASEAN which continues to be a centre of growth with its strong and empowered people. Indonesia wants ASEAN to remain important and relevant to make ASEAN matters. Important and relevant internally for its people, important and relevant externally for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
ASEAN must become a stable and peaceful region and become the anchor of world stability. ASEAN must also consistently uphold international law and not act as a proxy for any party. ASEAN must become a region that is dignified and upholds human values and democracy.
Regarding Indonesia – Ukraine’s relations:
Ukraine has signed the instrument of accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation at the ASEAN Summit, November 2022, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. ASEAN is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. There are huge trade opportunities here, and political support from ASEAN countries. Joining the ASEAN agreement and cooperation will bring real benefits to the state, business world and Ukrainian citizens.
In the Chairman’s Statement of the 42nd ASEAN Summit-Indonesia, May 2023, it is also stated that “With regard to Ukraine, as for all nations, we continued to reaffirm our respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity. We reiterated our call for compliance with the UN Charter and international law. We underlined the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the creation of an enabling environment for peaceful resolution. This situation continues to negatively affect us and we are therefore committed to redoubling our effort to mitigate its impact and work toward ensuring that our ASEAN remains as the epicentre of growth for the region and the world.”
- In August of this year, in a solemn ceremony, you presented your credentials to the President of Ukraine. What are your impressions of this meeting and issues discussed during the bilateral meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
The presentation of the credential to the President of Ukraine on 17 August 2023 gave a positive and more convincing impression of the good relations between the two countries.
What was most remembered in the conversation was that the two Heads of State had known and held several talks and meetings both in international forums (G20, G7) and during the visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to Ukraine in June 2022.
We also emphasised Indonesia's commitment on relief, reconstruction, and reform in the health sector through the World Bank's and Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) program.
- What are the Embassy’s activity plan to promote Indonesia’s culture?
Considering that since the war started many cultural activities could not be carried out, however, Indonesia continued to carry out cultural promotion activities through the Scholarship Programs in Indonesia for Ukrainian students, as well as teaching Indonesian Language. Educational cooperation takes place in a significant way within the framework of interaction between higher education institutions of Ukraine and Indonesia, based on the relevant cooperation agreements. Indonesian universities offer special scholarships for Ukrainian students. In order to support Ukrainian students, before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were student exchanges within the framework of the Indonesian Government Program of Darmasiswa Scholarship (higher education studies of students from Ukraine in Indonesia), as well as the International Non-Governmental Student Exchange and Volunteering During 2002-2023 a total of 145 students from Ukraine received the Darmasiswa scholarship program.
- Darmasiswa Scholarship
DARMASISWA is a one-year non-degree scholarship program offered by the Indonesian government to all non-Indonesian citizens from countries which Indonesia has diplomatic relations with to study Indonesian language, arts, music, crafts and other specific subjects at 68 Indonesian Higher Education Institutions selected in various cities in Indonesia. This program is organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main objective of the Darmasiswa program is to increase and cultivate interest in Indonesian language and Indonesian culture among citizens from other countries. It also designed to increase mutual understanding and provide stronger cultural bonds between different nations. In 2023/2024 program, there are four recipients from Ukraine.
- Beasiswa Seni dan Budaya Indonesia / Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship
The Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (IACS) is a flagship program of the public diplomacy of Indonesia on arts and culture. Started in 2003, the program provides a non-degree scholarship for the young generation to learn in person about the arts, culture and local wisdom of Indonesia. During the program, the participants are hosted in several art centres in Indonesia. The awardees then gather for a final performance of Indonesia Channel at the end of each program.
IACS is held annually, with an exception of cancellation in 2020 due to the global pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, the program was held virtually and received positive feedback from the participants and art centres. As of December 2022, the scholarship has been awarded to 1024 alumni from 83 countries including 2 from Ukraine. As the global situation returns to normal, we seek to organise IACS 2023 back in person. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs c.q Directorate of Public Diplomacy, as the organising committee, will cooperate with the Indonesian Embassies and Consulates overseas to hold a series of the selection process. Taken into consideration are, among others, the awardees' background, gender, regional representation, and interest to learn Indonesian culture.
To ensure the quality of the program, including providing the awardees with a pleasant experience of living in Indonesia, the foreign awardees of IACS 2023 will be limited to 32 persons.
The awardees will then be assigned by the organising committee to different art centres that are located in 4 (four) provinces, namely Bali, West Sumatera, East Kalimantan and East Java. For approximately 2 (two) months, the awardees will live within or around the art centre, allowing them to learn about the arts and culture of Indonesia, experience the local heritage and interact with the local community. This will eventually strengthen mutual understanding, friendship and people-to-people cooperation.
- KNB Scholarship
Beasiswa Kemitraan Negara Berkembang, popularly known as KNB Scholarship, is a prestigious scholarship program offered by the government of Republic of Indonesia to selected applicants originating from developing countries. Managed by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, the scholarship has been disbursed since 2006 to 1,608 recipients from 97 countries including 6 from Ukraine. The role of KNB Scholarship, has been central in supporting Indonesian higher education institutions in their endeavour for internationalisation. The number of international students is indicative of global visibility of higher education institutions. In support of Indonesian universities’ internationalisation and to accommodate the increasing interests from applicants all around the world, the number of scholarships being awarded every year has continued to grow. The scholarship has also been continuing to expand its partnership with reputable public and private universities in the country. In doing so, the scholarship has been sustaining the quality improvement of Indonesian higher education institutions in order to meet the standards of internationally reputable universities.
Constant alarms do not add to the pleasantness of your stay in Kyiv. To what extent have you been able to adapt to today’s military realities?
Indonesia understands the situation that is currently happening in Ukraine, and Indonesia urges an end to situations of tension and hostility, and prioritises peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv always stay updated for the current situation in Ukraine and always adapts to the realities on the ground, and continues to comply with appeals and regulations from the Government of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Kondratenko, Antonina Linnik, photos from the archive of the "Kyiv diplomatic" magazine editorial office.
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