Diplomat Must Fight for Country’s Interest

President Jokowi in Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta on Monday (12/2)

Today, being a diplomat is not easy because diplomat bears difficult tasks as many uncertainties persist in the world.

“Various parts of the world are at wars, conflicts, humanitarian crisis that resulted in million of refugees. Cross-border crime, terrorism, human trafficking, illicit drugs trafficking threatened not only Indonesia but all countries,” President Jokowi said in a remarks during a Working Meeting of the Representatives of the Government of Indonesia with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Pancasila Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Complex, Jakarta, on Monday (12/2).

The President also asserted that economic competition is fiercer in which every country wants to be the winner. Moreover, an increase of protectionism is implemented through tariff and non-tariff barriers in numerous fields.

“This is the current condition in the world. This is the challenge that we should face, the challenge to diplomats, particularly ours,” President Jokowi stated.

The President stressed that 206 million-population in Indonesia expects the diplomats to fight for the interest of the country, for the interest of all Indonesians.

Therefore, new diplomatic approaches should be adjusted to meet the current challenges.

“A fast and responsive diplomacy. A diplomacy which does not cost much money but one that generates money, a diplomacy that protects its citizen abroad, a diplomacy that will not step back in defending the country’s sovereignty, a diplomacy that can contribute to world peace and prosperity,” President Jokowi said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also mentioned that in the past three years, Indonesia’s diplomacy on peace and humanity has been applauded by several world leaders.

For example, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas calls Indonesia a true friend, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s contribution to peacekeeping in Afghanistan.

For that reason, President Jokowi instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs and all representatives of the Republic of Indonesia to continue contributing to world peace and humanity.

“Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population that is moderate and plural, and the third largest democracy in the world, bears huge responsibility to be part of the solution to global problems,” the President firmly said.

Attending the event were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.M. Fachir. (DND/OJI/ES) (RAS/MUR/MMB/Naster)