Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Indonesia, H.E. Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobieva, was present as the main speaker at a public lecture at the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FISIP UI) last Friday (11/02). She conveyed about the long history of partnership and coorporation between the Russian Federation and Indonesia, in the public lecture “Studium Generale: Russia, Indonesia, and The Indo Pacific” which was held through a zoom meeting.
The event was opened by the Dean of FISIP UI, Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto, with moderator Ristian Ariandi Supriyanto, Universitas Indonesia International Relations lecturer. Prof. Semiarto hoped that, even though the conditions did not allow the participants to meet in person, this event could provide insight into the relationship between the Russian Federation and Indonesia. According to him, “Even though it is held virtually, I hope it will not dampen the enthusiasm to discuss what Russia’s foreign policy has to offer in Asia, including Indonesia. Hopefully this lecture will be useful for the benefit of Indonesia-Russia provision in the future.”
H.E. Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobieva said the two countries officially started diplomatic relations on February 3, 1950. Since then, the Russian Federation and Indonesia have developed cooperation in various fields, including transportation, infrastructure, energy, technology, agriculture, and so on. State leaders and ministers of Indonesia and the Russian Federation routinely conduct consultations, especially in the security sector.
In the trade sector, even in a pandemic situation, this bilateral cooperation has reached three billion US dollars. This figure has not reached the target set by the two countries, which is five billion US dollars. By 2021, trade will increase by 40%, so the target is not difficult to achieve. The cooperation between Indonesia and Russia in the trade sector has achieved a good surplus. Russian exports to Indonesia are dominated by fertilizers, metals, oil and gas. Meanwhile, from Indonesia, Russia imports a lot of palm oil.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation also discussed the dynamics in the Indo-Pacific concept. The Russian Federation supports the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific. However, he said, the Russian Federation rejected the Indo-Pacific concept proposed by western countries. According to the Russian Federation, the Indo-Pacific concept proposed by western countries is trying to replace the dialogue mechanism in the Asian region which has been maintaining regional stability through openness, inclusiveness and transparency.
The ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific is a document that outlines ASEAN policies regarding the scope, objectives, principles, areas of cooperation, and mechanisms of Indo-Pacific cooperation. Through this document, ASEAN sees the Indo-Pacific as an integrated and connected region, prioritizes dialogue and cooperation, focuses on development for prosperity, and makes maritime aspects an element of regional planning.
This document contains the scope of Indo-Pacific cooperation which includes maritime cooperation, connectivity, efforts to realize the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as cooperation in the economic field. ASEAN is also ready to cooperate with other regional mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions within the framework of Indo-Pacific cooperation.
Writer: Humas FISIP UI | Editor: Sapuroh
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