REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated that Indonesia can take advantage of the 2018 Asian Games as a means to contribute to achieving world peace. It could also serve to strengthen the partnership between countries.
"Aside from being the sports competition event in Asia, Indonesia could receive appreciation, as the Asian Games have also contributed to the strengthening of the bond between South Korea and North Korea," she said in her keynote address during the opening of the Pancasila X Congress at the Gajah Mada University Senate Hall in Jogjakarta, Thursday.
She stated that before the opening of the Asian Games, on August 14, during a meeting with President Joko Widodo, the Prime Minister of South Korea and Deputy Prime Minister of North Korea expressed their appreciation towards Indonesia for its consistent efforts in promoting peace, stability and denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula.
They lauded Indonesia for the opportunity given to North and South Korean athletes to compete as a team, which is believed to have contributed to the confidence-building measures between both countries.
"South Korea and North Korea then sent joint contingents for three different sports branches, with more than 50 athletes involved," she said.
Aside from strengthening the bond between the two countries, she continued, through the Asian Games, Indonesia also strives to intensify the unity between the elements of the Palestinian nation, from which the contingent comprised athletes from the West Bank, Gaza, as well as the Palestinian diaspora.
Palestinian athletes marches in the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2018 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (August 18).
In accordance with President Jokowi's aim, she believed that the Asian Games should also serve as a means to promote new energy in Palestine's struggle.
"Palestine also expressed its highest appreciation toward Indonesia. They believe that there are not a lot of countries out there that could maintain consistency in defending the Palestinian struggle, as much as Indonesia does," she reiterated.
Indonesia's efforts in promoting friendship between countries and world peace, through the Asian Games, is a form of the embodiment of Indonesia's consistency when it comes to foreign politics.
With such consistency, she continued, Indonesia has established its track record in diplomacy, one that continuously supports peace, stability and world welfare.
"Surely, Indonesia's consistency in foreign politics does not shy away from the mandate of the fourth paragraph of the 1945 Constitution, which is to carry out world order based on independence, eternal peace and social justice," she remarked.
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